Tell us about your role at UHN. 

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher in the lab of Dr. Alexandra Rink at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM). I have been in this role since March 2025. My day-to-day involves creating and testing new chemical materials, evaluating how they respond to radiation therapy, and collaborating with medical physicists and other researchers to develop materials that may help improve the accuracy of radiation dose measurements—also known as radiation dosimetry—during cancer treatment. 

What are you passionate about in your role at UHN? 

In my role, I focus on developing new chemical molecules and materials and understanding how their structure and properties influence how they perform. I enjoy applying this knowledge to help address challenges in health care, where a new material or approach could fill an unmet need in cancer care. 

What does health research mean to you? 

Health research brings together people with different areas of expertise to understand and address the factors that influence health and well-being. It spans scientific, clinical, social, and community-based research. Meaningful progress requires perspectives from many disciplines. 

How does your work help to advance UHN's vision of A Healthier World? 

As radiation therapy technologies continue to advance, there is an increasing need for tools that can accurately measure and monitor radiation dose in increasingly complex treatment environments. My research focuses on developing new radiochromic materials, which change colour when exposed to radiation and can be used to measure radiation dose in real time to help monitor radiation treatment more accurately. I look forward to taking my work beyond the lab and hope to translate these materials into technologies that can support radiation therapy and patient care. 

What makes UHN an ideal place to advance health research? 

UHN has a strong culture of collaboration between research and clinical care. Being at PM gives me access to specialized clinical equipment and radiation therapy infrastructure, as well as the expertise of medical physicists and radiation oncologists. This enables me to develop and test my materials in a setting where research can be closely connected to clinical practice. I also value UHN’s support for collaboration and commercialization, which creates opportunities to advance new innovations from the lab toward real-world applications in health care. 

Do you have any interests outside of work? 

Outside of research, I enjoy being involved in the scientific community and have organized networking and professional development events for students, trainees, and scientists. When I am not in the lab, I can usually be found on a hiking trail or lounging, with no in-between. I am also obsessed with mangoes. 

What do you see for the future of health research, and what gets you excited about it? 

I am excited to bring materials science and chemistry into clinical research to develop technologies that can address challenges in patient care. My work in radiation dosimetry has shown me how fundamental an understanding of materials can be when connected to clinical needs. I see opportunities to make health care more precise, responsive, and personalized. 

How to Participate in You @TeamUHN 

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).