I am a post-doctoral fellow in Dr. Gang Zheng’s lab at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. My work is focused on developing new treatments for infections and cancer using light-activated molecules and nanoparticles. Aside from my own research, I also spend my time supervising and training students and fostering community through the UHN Postdoc Association.
There are two aspects of my research that I am most passionate about. The first is developing technology and contributing knowledge that can treat disease and have a tangible impact on people’s lives and the world. The second is mentoring and empowering the next generation of researchers and thinkers so that they can continue making an impact.
My work is focused on developing and testing new treatments for cancer and infections. This work advances UHN's vision of A Healthier World by creating more effective treatments, helping reduce side effects, shortening the length of treatment, and ultimately lowering costs to the public health care system.
UHN is uniquely positioned for collaborative health research. You can easily access the expertise and perspective of other researchers, clinicians, patients, and industry connections. I particularly appreciate the shared facilities and the strong culture of collaboration, where people are genuinely invested in solving research problems together.
Outside of work, I am passionate about traveling, learning about other cultures, and connecting with nature. I have been to over 30 countries and have attempted to learn seven languages—with varying degrees of success. And karaoke—I never miss an opportunity to sing, and people count on me to bring the karaoke machine to every lab function.
My hope for the future of health research is to see scientists from across the world work together to solve big problems. It is easy to feel pessimistic about the future in the face of climate change, but I want to believe one thing we have learned from the COVID pandemic is that when the scientific community comes together and invests in the right priorities, incredible things can happen.
You @TeamUHN is a campaign to highlight the important scientific contributions that research lab staff, trainees and learners, administrative staff, core facilities staff, Research Solutions & Services staff, and volunteers make toward A Healthier World through discovery and innovation. If you’re interested in sharing your story, we invite you to complete this form here (Open to UHN staff, trainees and volunteers).
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative condition that gradually affects language and communication skills, while other cognitive functions remain relatively intact. For people with PPA, preserving the ability to communicate is essential for independence and emotional well-being. Researchers at UHN’s KITE Research Institute (KITE) and Toronto Western Hospital explored how a tailored language therapy program can help people with PPA maintain everyday communication and improve quality of life.
Although therapy can strengthen certain language skills, many people with PPA have limited access to broader support programs. To help close this gap, researchers tested a comprehensive program that combined speech therapy, communication strategy training, multidisciplinary education, social worker guided support groups, and personalized language exercises. Twenty-eight participants from the Memory Clinic at UHN’s Toronto Western Hospital joined six- to eight-week group sessions designed for individuals with PPA and their caregivers.
Participants were able to maintain their language abilities and reported feeling more motivated and confident in their communication. Education sessions helped validate their experiences with PPA and reduced uncertainties about planning for the future. Many also shared that the group setting made them feel less alone and more supported.
By integrating clinical care, education, and emotional support, comprehensive therapy programs can preserve communication skills while building confidence and connection. This work lays a foundation for expanding access to care and refining treatment strategies for individuals living with PPA.
Dr. Tijana Simic, the lead author of the study, is an Affiliate Scientist at UHN’s KITE Research Institute. Dr. Simic is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto.
This work was supported by UHN Foundation and two anonymous donors to study co-authors, Drs. Elizabeth Rochon, Carmela Tartaglia, and David Tang-Wai.
Simic T, Laird L, Patel R, Lavoie M, Martinez M, Gosse P, Santos A, Tang-Wai D, Jokel R, Tartaglia C, Rochon E. Comprehensive intervention combining group and personalized language therapy in primary progressive aphasia: Quantitative and qualitative findings. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2025 Jul 22. doi: 10.1002/trc2.70132.
I am a post-doctoral researcher in Dr. Nigil Haroon’s lab at UHN’s Schroeder Arthritis Institute, working on the cellular mechanisms of axial spondyloarthritis, which mainly affects the spine. My research looks at how cells work in this disease, especially their recycling system—known as autophagy—and how we might use it to design new treatments. Alongside my own work, I also support students in the lab on a day-to-day basis and dedicate time to building a supportive community through my involvement with the UHN Postdoc Association.
At UHN, I am passionate about being part of something bigger than myself—dedicated to improving patient health through research and care. Being both a pharmacist and researcher, health research has always meant a lot to me. From my first time in a wet lab during my undergraduate studies, I felt at home. That curiosity and inspiration from my professors have guided me to where I am today as a postdoc.
My work contributes to UHN’s vision by generating knowledge that can move from “bench to bedside”—from lab discoveries to treatments for patients. Day to day, research needs thinkers, builders, and accelerators. I see myself as all three: thinking about the cellular processes behind arthritis, building new ways to treat the disease, and accelerating these discoveries so patients can benefit as quickly as possible.
UHN, along with my principal investigator Dr. Nigil Haroon and my labmates, provides a true playground for discovery. I have the freedom to test my ideas, explore fundamental questions, and pursue research in patients’ best interests. The combination of a dedicated team, outstanding tools, and a collaborative environment makes UHN an ideal place to grow as a scientist.
Outside of work, I love spending time with friends, staying connected with my family overseas, and caring for my partner. I also enjoy going to the gym, playing video games, and—most importantly—being “on the moon.” My mind is often wandering in the sky, even when I’m not in the lab.
I’m excited about the future of health research because of the new models and creative approaches we are developing. These innovations will not only help us find solutions to current diseases but also open new ways to prevent them.
You @TeamUHN is a campaign to highlight the important scientific contributions that research lab staff, trainees and learners, administrative staff, core facilities staff, Research Solutions & Services staff, and volunteers make towards A Healthier World through discovery and innovation. If you’re interested in sharing your story, we invite you to complete this form here (Open to UHN staff, trainees and volunteers).
Researchers at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM) showed that mutations in a key pathway (the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway) can drive radiotherapy resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC)—a group of cancers that develop from the cells that line the moist surfaces of the head and neck.
For many solid tumours, including HNSCCs, a type of radiation therapy given from outside the body (external beam radiation) is usually the standard treatment, often combined with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Understanding why some tumours resist radiation treatment is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing disease-related complications.
Approximately 20% of HNSCCs involve mutations in a specific set of genes that form the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway. This pathway typically helps protect cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species—unstable oxygen molecules that can damage DNA and other cell parts. A key way that radiation therapy works is by generating these reactive oxygen species to kill cancer cells. Mutations in this pathway have previously been linked to a poor response to standard cancer therapies, including radiation therapy.
To investigate this further, the research team, co-led by PM’s Dr. David Kirsch, created specialized experimental models and cell lines that mimic the genetic changes seen in human cancers. They also exposed models to cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco to mimic real-world environmental risk factors. Tumours were then examined using a variety of lab techniques, and radiation therapy was administered to see how changes in the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway affect both treatment resistance and the immune system’s response.
The team found that tobacco chemicals accelerate the initiation and growth of head and neck tumours. In addition, they found that reduced KEAP1 activity resulted in tumours with stronger NRF2 activation, increased resistance to radiation treatment, more blood vessels feeding the cancer, suppressed immune system function, and reduced survival.
The findings highlight a critical link between genetic changes to the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway and treatment resistance in head and neck cancer. Ongoing studies aim to understand this pathway better and to develop new ways to make radiation treatment work more effectively in people whose cancers carry these genetic changes.
Dr. Rutulkumar Patel, Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, is the first author of the study.
Dr. Yvonne M. Mowery, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, is a co-senior author of the study.
Dr. David Kirsch, Senior Scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM), Allan Slaight Scientist at PM, Peter and Shelagh Godsoe Chair in Radiation Medicine, and Professor in the Departments of Medical Biophysics and Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto, is a co-senior author of the study.
This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs (USA), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), and The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Dr. Yvonne Mowery has leadership roles in ASTRO and NRG Oncology, receives grant funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, and Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C), and receives an honorarium from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. David Kirsch reports grant funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), in support of the research described in this manuscript. In the past, he has received support from the Merck Investigator Studies Program, SU2C, Bristol Myers Squibb, Varian Medical Systems, and the Department of Defense. He also receives other National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding not related to this work. Dr. Kirsch holds a license for an imaging device through Lumicell Inc., and patents through Lumicell Inc. and XRad Therapeutics. He served on the Scientific Advisory Board of Lumicell Inc., and holds stock in XRad Therapeutics and Lumicell Inc.
See the manuscript for the complete list of competing interests.
Patel R, Saab K, Luo L, Ma Y, Osman RA, Williams NT, Everitt J, Zelazowski MJ, Castro P, Decker WK, Hudson WH, Myers JN, Sandulache VC, Frederick MJ, Mowery YM, Kirsch DG. Nrf2 hyperactivation as a driver of radiotherapy resistance and suppressed anti-tumor immunity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2025 Jul 31. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-25-0112. Epub ahead of print.
Two researchers from UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre are recipients of the 2024 Canadian Cancer Society Awards for Excellence in Cancer Research. Congratulations to Senior Scientists Dr. John Dick and Dr. Cheryl Arrowsmith on this achievement.
● Dr. John Dick – 2024 Lifetime Contribution Prize: This prize celebrates investigators who have enhanced the Canadian cancer research landscape beyond traditional research accomplishments—leading to significant benefits for people in Canada affected by cancer—and who are committed to passing that legacy on to the next generation of cancer researchers.
Dr. John Dick is a Senior Scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, a Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto, and holds both the Helga and Antonio De Gasperis Chair in Blood Cancer Stem Cell Research and the distinction of University Professor at the University of Toronto. Dr. Dick has spent a lifetime studying how cancer works. His accomplishments range from discovering the cells that give rise to leukemia to developing new cancer treatments and finding ways to measure their success. He generated the first system for effectively studying human stem cells in the lab, enabling him to uncover how human blood develops and identify the unique stem cells that lead to cancer. His work has revealed processes that can be targeted by new drugs to stop cancer and prevent relapse.
● Dr. Cheryl Arrowsmith – Robert L. Noble Prize: This prize recognizes the outstanding achievements of Dr. Arrowsmith in biomedical cancer research.
Dr. Arrowsmith is a Senior Scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, a Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto, and Chief Scientist at the Structural Genomics Consortium Labs affiliated with UHN and the University of Toronto. Dr. Arrowsmith studies how genes and proteins work together in cancer, with a focus on how genes are controlled in the human body—a process called epigenetics—and how the proteins that influence this control interact to drive cancer. She also develops chemical probes to study these proteins and identify potential targets for new anticancer drugs. Her work has provided essential drug discovery tools for the scientific community. She is also a strong advocate for new drug discovery and development, as well as a mentor and supervisor to many trainees.
Read the full story here.
The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) announced this year’s newly elected Fellows and incoming class of the RSC College.
The RSC is the nation’s pre-eminent organization of scholars, researchers, and artists. It celebrates excellence, promotes research, and provides independent advice on matters of public interest while fostering collaboration and mentoring future leaders to advance knowledge in Canada and beyond.
Congratulations to the following UHN researchers elected to the RSC:
● Dr. Shaf Keshavjee (Fellow) is a Senior Scientist, Director of the Latner Thoracic Laboratories, Chief of Innovation, and Co-Director of the AI Hub at UHN. He is a Professor of Thoracic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, and is the Donald K. Jackson Chair in Lung Transplant Research. Dr. Keshavjee’s work has transformed lung transplantation through the development of the Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) system, which has doubled the number of lungs available for transplant. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of lung preservation, injury, and repair related to transplantation. His team at UHN is developing diagnostics and therapies, including gene therapy and genome editing technologies, to further enhance lung repair.
● Dr. Bo Wang (Member of the College) is a Senior Scientist and the Chief AI Scientist at UHN, as well as a tenured Associate Professor in the Departments of Computer Science and Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Wang’s research focuses on machine learning, computational biology, and computer vision, with an emphasis on developing novel machine learning algorithms to address clinical applications in biomedicine. His work has made significant contributions to these fields.
Over a hundred new Fellows were elected and recognized for their impactful achievements in the arts, social sciences, humanities, and sciences. The RSC also welcomed 59 new Members to the RSC College; the College consists of mid-career researchers who help the RSC address major challenges and seize opportunities in emerging fields in Canada and around the world.
Read the press release for award details and additional information about the upcoming ceremonies honouring the awardees.
UHN’s Summer Training and Research (STAR) Program celebrated its students through STAR Research Day—an opportunity for students to share their research experiences via engaging poster presentations.
Research Day marks the culmination of the STAR Program, a comprehensive summer research initiative led by UHN’s Office of Research Trainees (ORT). The program provides summer students the chance to participate in cutting-edge research while gaining essential professional development skills in research design and integrity, scientific communication, networking, and career exploration in science and health care.
At this year’s Research Day, held on August 7, 2025, 123 students presented posters. An additional 22 students shared their work virtually using the online platform VoiceThread. The poster competition, adjudicated by UHN graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff, recognized five students for outstanding posters:
● Nicole Wiesner — supervised by Dr. Andrew McPartlin
● Isabella Gouthro — supervised by Dr. Chung-Wai Chow
● Alexander Ball — supervised by Dr. Kathryn Howe
● Allona Kaye Lim supervised by Dr. Ivan Yeung
● Sunny Yun – supervised by Dr. Suneil Kalia
In total, 107 students completed the STAR Program, marking a summer of growth, innovation, and community building within UHN’s dynamic research environment.
Research conducted at UHN's research institutes spans the full spectrum of diseases and disciplines, including cancer, cardiovascular sciences, transplantation, neural and sensory sciences, musculoskeletal health, rehabilitation sciences, and community and population health.
Learn more about our institutes by clicking below:
