At the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute (BHCRI), supporting and training the next generation of cancer researchers is a core pillar of our mission — and a key part of our strategic plan.
Through our Cancer Research Training Program (CRTP) and affiliated studentship awards, we provide funding, mentorship, and research opportunities to trainees and early career investigators across Atlantic Canada. These programs build a sustainable cancer research ecosystem by:
Supporting students at all levels, from undergraduate to postdoctoral
Enabling early career investigators to launch and grow their research programs
Encouraging collaboration, peer review, and mentorship across disciplines and institutions
BHCRI’s CRTP awards are made possible through the generous support of our funding partners and the dedication of our scientific review panels.
We extend our sincere thanks to our 2025-2026 funding partners for their ongoing commitment to advancing cancer research in Atlantic Canada. Learn more about our funding partners here.
PEER REVIEW: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion(EDI)
Applications are reviewed by a scientific review panel of BHCRI members from diverse disciplines and regions across Atlantic Canada. The panel assesses each application based on the applicant’s achievements, the research environment, and the quality and cancer relevance of the proposal.
BHCRI is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all operations and strives to reflect these values in our committees, panels, and events.
Explore Award Recipients
2025 Fall CRTP Award Recipients
Name
Program
Department
Institution
Supervisor(s)
Project Title
Funding Source
Melis Erkan
PhD
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Victor Martinez
Mapping Persistent and Irreversible Effects of Arsenic on Lung Tissues Using Integrated Transcriptome and Methylome Analysis
The Saunders Matthey Foundation for Cancer Prevention
Tiana Sharpe
MSc
Chemistry
Dalhousie University
Dr. Carlie Charron
Novel Bicyclic Chelators to Explore Cyclic Peptide Nanotubes for Targeted Radiotherapy
Canadian Cancer Society’s Carol Ann Cole Comfort Heart Endowment
Diana Okello
PhD
Health
Dalhousie University
Dr. Leigha Wright & Dr. Sheri Price
Predicting Oral Mucositis in Pediatric Cancer Patients:An Integrated Approach Using Salivary Biomarkers,Oral Microbiome Profiling and Machine Learning
GIVETOLIVE
Jorge Pinzon Mejia
PhD
Microbiology and Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Jeanette Boudreau
Defining the Genomic and Immunologic Landscape of Colorectal Cancer
GIVETOLIVE
Karla Valenzuela
PDF
Applied Oral Sciences
Dalhousie University
Dr. Brendan Leung
In Vitro Modelling of Tumor Hypoxia, Microbiome, and Macrophage Interactions to Overcome Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Cancer
GIVETOLIVE
Murtaza Lokhandwala
MSc
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Greg Fairn & Dr. Geoffrey Hesketh
Examining post-translational modifications of LAMTOR1 to identify vulnerabilities of mTORC1-driven cancers
GIVETOLIVE
Parnian Jahanbani
PhD
Microbiology and Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Jun Wang
Investigating the role of chronic Chlamydia infection in ovarian cancer development
Teal to Heal – The Kelsey Pyke Research Award
2025 Spring CRTP Award Recipients
Name
Program
Department
Institution
Supervisor(s)
Project Title
Funding Source
Chloe Shenouda
MSc.
Chemistry
Dalhousie University
Dr. Carlie Charron
Design of Covalent Bond Stabilized Tumour-Targeted Cyclic Peptide Nanotubes for Treatment-Resistant
GIVETOLIVE
Faramarz Jalili
PhD
Health
Dalhousie University
Dr. Mohammad Hajizaheh
Investigating the Bidirectional Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Cancer: Impacts Across Cancer Types and Socioeconomic Groups
Saunders Matthey Foundation for Cancer Prevention
Monawar Shahwan
PhD
Neurosciences
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Michiru Hirasawa
Targeting brain waste clearance pathway in chemotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction
GIVETOLIVE
Lauren Westhaver
PDF
Surgery
Dalhousie University
Dr. Adrienne Weeks and Dr. Jeremy Roy
Immunophenotyping of primary tumour tissue and longitudinal peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with glioblastoma to distinguish pseudoprogression from true progression
GIVETOLIVE
2025 Summer Studentship Award Recipients
Name
Department
Institution
Supervisor(s)
Project Title
Funding Source
Luke Boateng
Nursing & Health Sciences
University of New Brunswick, Saint John Campus
Dr. Alli Murugesan
Evaluating the Treatment Potential of Bee Glue Molecules (BGM) in Activated B-cell Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (ABC-DLBCL) through Small RNA Sequencing Analyses.
IWK Foundation’s Jeremy Ingham Summer Studentship (via BHCRI)
Grace Bonham-Carter
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Graham Dellaire
Using CRISPR-mediated epigenetic regulation to evaluate PRP4K gene function.
D.W. Hoskin Summer Studentship for Cancer Research (via BHCRI)
Macklin Pelley
Biochemistry
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Sherri Christian and Dr. Huck Grover
Evaluating the Anti-Cancer Properties of Tanshinone IIA and Its Derivative in Breast Cancer Cell Models
Canadian Cancer Society’s Carol Ann Cole Comfort Heart Studentship (via BHCRI)
Lauren Graham
–
–
–
–
Declined
2024 CRTP Award Recipients
Name
Program
Department
University
Supervisor
Title
Funding Source
Chloe House
MSc.
Psychology
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Sheila Garland
The Creation and Validation of a Measure for Perceptions of Medical Assistance in Dying in Cancer Survivors
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving, Limited – Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Grant Kelly
MSc.
Biochemistry
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Sherri Christian
Uncovering Lysyl Oxidase as a Necessary Mediator of Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Canadian Cancer Society’s Carol Ann Cole Graduate Studentship
Isabela Pagotto
MSc.
School of Health & Human Performance
Dalhousie University
Dr. Melanie Keats
Patient Perceptions of Prehabilitation for Low Grade Endometrial Cancer: Prepare Study
Saunders Matthey Foundation for Cancer Prevention
Jillian Fougere
MSc.
Chemistry
Dalhousie University
Dr. Carlie Charron
Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Wewakazole B, An Anti-Cancer Peptide
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving, Limited – Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Kennedy Whelan
MSc.
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Graham Dellaire
Characterizing Genetic and Epigenetic Changes in Patient-derived Lung Organoids Exposed to Environmental Carcinogens
Saunders Matthey Foundation for Cancer Prevention
Adnan Bhayo
PhD
Chemistry
University of Prince Edward Island
Dr. Marya Ahmed
Peptide Conjugated Chemotherapeutics for Breast Cancer Treatment
GIVETOLIVE
Sarah Spencer
PhD
Biomedical Engineering
Dalhousie University
Dr. Brendan Leung
Elucidating the Roles of Microbes on Early Tumor Immune Surveillance Using an Engineered Tissue Co-culture
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving, Limited – Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Preethi Gopalakrishnan Nair
PDF
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Shashi Gujar
ROS responsive KYNU-PVA hydrogel for Glioblastoma immunotherapy
GIVETOLIVE
Peijia Jiang
PDF
Atlantic Research Centre
Dalhousie University
Dr. Kirill Rosen
New approaches to treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer
Terry Fox Research Institute (Atlantic Node)
Alexander Gibson
Pathology
Dalhousie University
–
–
Declined
Bakhmala Khan
Pathology
Dalhousie University
–
–
Declined
Emily White
Pathology
Dalhousie University
–
–
Declined
2023 CRTP Award Recipients
Name
Program
Department
University
Supervisor
Funding Source
Riley Arseneau
MSc
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Jeanette Boudreau, Dr. Boris Gala-Lopez
GIVETOLIVE
Haya Al Bitar
MSc
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Jean Marshall
C. MacDougall Fund
Jorge Pinzon
MSc
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Jeanette Boudreau
GIVETOLIVE
Miranda Steeves
MSc
Chemistry
University of Prince Edward Island
Dr. Marya Ahmed
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited – Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Sabateeshan Mathavarajah
PhD
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Graham Dellaire
GIVETOLIVE (Linnea Veinotte CRTP Scholar)
Anh Thu (Theresa) Vo
PhD
Community Health and Epidemiology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Robin Urquhart, Dr. Wiesława Dominika Wranik
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited – Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Raj Pranap Arun
PDF
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Paola Marcato
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited – Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Jaganathan Venkatesh
PDF
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Paola Marcato
GIVETOLIVE
Preethi Gopalakrishnan Nair
PDF
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Shashi Gujar
GIVETOLIVE
2022 CRTP Award Recipients
Name
Program
Department
University
Supervisor
Funding Source
Chiara Gottheil
MSc.
Community Health & Epidemiology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Robin Urquhart
Saunders Matthey Cancer Prevention Foundation
Rachel Lee
MSc.
Psychology
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Sheila Garland
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Lia Massoeurs
MSc.
Community Health & Epidemiology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Gabriela Ilie
CIBC and QEII Foundation
Kathleen Varty
MSc.
Biology
University of New Brunswick-Saint John
Dr. Anthony Reiman
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Elias Habib
MSc.
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Graham Dellaire
GIVETOLIVE (Dr. Linnea Veinotte Memorial Graduate Studentship)
Jae Ho Han
MSc.
Surgery
Dalhousie University
Dr. Adrienne Weeks, Dr. Jeremy Roy
Terry Fox Research Institute’s Marathon of Hope Atlantic Cancer Consortium
Michaela Kember
MSc.
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Zhenyu Cheng
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation’s Rosetti Endowment
Stephanie Kendall
MSc.
Health & Human Performance
Dalhousie University
Dr. Scott Grandy
Saunders Matthey Cancer Prevention Fund
Samlau Kutana
MSc.
Psychology
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Sheila Garland
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Rhea Nickerson
MSc.
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Brent Johnston
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation’s C. MacDougall Endowment
Patrick Pearson
MSc.
Cancer and Development
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Thomas Belbin
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Olivier Philips
MSc.
Biology
University of Prince Edward Island
Dr. J. Patrick Murphy
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Jordan Lukacs
PhD
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Brent Johnston
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation Rosetti Studentship
Daniel Medina-Luna
PhD
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Andrew Makrigiannis
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation’s Sawyer Studentship
Vlora Riberdy
PhD
Physics & Atmospheric Science
Dalhousie University
Dr. Kim Brewer
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Kazeem Adefemi
PhD
Community Health & Humanities
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Peter P. Wang
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Jodi Langley
PhD
Health
Dalhousie University
Dr. Melanie Keats, Dr. Grace Warner
Canadian Cancer Society’s Carol Ann Cole Graduate Studentship
Alexa Wilson
PhD
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Craig McCormick
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation’s Sawyer Endowment
Jasmine Barra
PDF
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Jean Marshall
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation
Sandhya Chipurupalli
PDF
Atlantic Research Centre
Dalhousie University
Dr. Kirill Rosen
TFRI Marathon of Hope Atlantic Cancer Consortium
Stefan Heinze-Milne
PDF
Pharmacology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Scott Grandy
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Raj Pranap Arun
PDF
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Paola Marcato
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Farideh Badichi Akher
PDF
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Jan Rainey
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation’s Rosetti Endowment
Naeimeh Jafari
PDF
Applied Oral Sciences
Dalhousie University
Dr. Brendan Leung
Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Dominique Comeau
PDF
Chemistry & Biochemistry / ACRI
Université de Moncton
Dr. Sandra Turcotte
(Declined by applicant)
2021 CRTP Award Recipients
Name
Program
Department
University
Supervisor
Funding Source
Emily Carter
MSc.
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Jeanette Boudreau
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation’s Crease Endowment for Cancer Research
William Johnston
MSc.
Health & Human Performance
Dalhousie University
Dr. Scott Grandy
CIBC Graduate Scholarship in Medical Research
Morgan Pugh-Toole
MSc.
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Brenden Leung, Dr. Jeanette Boudreau
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation’s Rosetti Endowment for Cancer Research
Jessica Vickery
MSc.
Community Health & Epidemiology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Robin Urquhart
TFRI’s Marathon of Hope Atlantic Cancer Consortium
Nick Dawe
MSc.
Biomedical Engineering
Dalhousie University
Dr. Brenden Leung
Helyer/Williams Studentship Award (DMRF)
Vishnupriyan Kumar
MSc.
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Shashi Gujar
Motorcycle Ride for Dad (DMRF)
Emily Drake
PhD
Faculty of Health
Dalhousie University
Dr. Lori Weeks
QEII Foundation & CIBC Graduate Scholarship in Medical Research
Brendan McKeown
PhD
Pharmacology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Kerry Goralski
Saunders Matthey Foundation & CIBC Scholarship
Marie-Claire Wasson
PhD
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Paola Marcato
Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute Honorary CRTP trainee
Kateryna Kratzer
PhD
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Graham Dellaire
DMRF C. MacDougall Cancer Research Studentship
Modeline Longjohn
PhD
Biochemistry
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Sherri Christian
GIVETOLIVE + Memorial University matching funds
Danick Martin
PhD
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Université de Moncton
Dr. Gilles Robichaud
GIVETOLIVE + New Brunswick Health Research Foundation
Jasmine Barra
PDF
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Shashi Gujar
DMRF’s Sawyer Endowment for Cancer Research
Jaime Wertman
PDF
Hematology/Oncology
IWK Health Centre / Dalhousie University
Dr. Kerry Goralski, Dr. Ketan Kulkarni
Beatrice Hunter CRTP trainee
Smitha George
PDF
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Francesca Di Cara
DMRF’s Sawyer Studentship
Sina Mazinani
PDF
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Pediatrics
Dalhousie University
Dr. Kirill Rosen
DMRF’s Rosetti Studentship
2020 CRTP Award Recipients
Name
Program
Department
University
Supervisor
Funding Source
Samuel Cutler
MSc.
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Manal Elnenaei, Dr. Dan Gaston
BHCRI + CIBC Graduate Scholarship in Medical Research
Jordan D. Lukacs
MSc.
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Brent Johnston
BHCRI + CIBC Graduate Scholarship in Medical Research
Rachel Parker
MSc.
Health & Human Performance
Dalhousie University
Dr. Melanie Keats
(Declined by applicant)
Tharindu Lakshan Suraweera
MSc.
Plant, Food & Environmental Sciences
Dalhousie University – Faculty of Agriculture
Dr. H. P. Vasantha Rupasinghe, Dr. Zaolin Xu
BHCRI + CIBC Graduate Scholarship in Medical Research
Andrea Tomko
MSc.
Pharmacology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Denis Dupre
BHCRI + DMRF C. MacDougall & Rosetti Awards
Leah MacLean
MSc.
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Drs. Jeanette Boudreau, Jason Berman
BHCRI + GIVETOLIVE
Marie-Claire Wasson
MSc.
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Paola Marcato
BHCRI + Saunders Matthey Cancer Prevention Fund
Alexa Wilson
MSc.
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Francesca Di Cara
BHCRI + DMRF Jean Rivers Sawyer Award
Rachel Woodside
MSc.
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Jun Wang
BHCRI + GIVETOLIVE + Roses of Hope Foundation
Adam Nelson
PhD
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Brent Johnston
BHCRI + DMRF Jean Rivers Sawyer Award
Sarah Nersesian
PhD
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Jeanette Boudreau
(Honourary)
Patric Page
PhD
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Université de Moncton
Dr. Sandra Turcotte
BHCRI + NBHRF + GIVETOLIVE
Yunnuo Shi
PhD
Microbiology & Immunology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Zhenyu Cheng
BHCRI + DMRF C. MacDougall Studentship
Mark Hanes
PhD
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Drs. Jean Marshall, Carman Giacomantonio
BHCRI + GIVETOLIVE
Eric Courtney Henry
PhD
Physics & Atmospheric Science
Dalhousie University
Drs. Alasdair Syme, George Mawko
BHCRI + CIBC Scholarship + DMRF C. MacDougall Studentship
Victoria Northrup
PhD
Pharmacology
Dalhousie Medicine NB
Dr. Keith Brunt
BHCRI + NBHRF + DMRF Rosetti Award (Dr. Linnea Veinotte Memorial Graduate Studentship)
Vlora Riberdy
PhD
Physics & Atmospheric Science
Dalhousie University
Drs. Jean-Philippe Pignol, James Robar
BHCRI + DMRF Rosetti Award
Raj Pranap Arun
PDF
Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Paola Marcato
BHCRI + Saunders Matthey Cancer Prevention Fund
Xiaoyang Liu
PDF
Pediatrics & Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Kirill Rosen
BHCRI + GIVETOLIVE + Roses of Hope Foundation
Jinghua Liu
PDF
Microbiology & Immunology
IWK Health Centre / Dalhousie University
Dr. Jun Wang
(Honourary)
Sina Mazinani
PDF
Pediatrics & Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dalhousie University
Dr. Kirill Rosen
BHCRI + DMRF Rosetti Award
Smriti Srivastava
PDF
Chemistry
Acadia University
Dr. Amitabh Jha
BHCRI +Terry Fox Research Institute
New Investigator Awards
Year
Project Title
Primary Applicant
Collaborators/Co-Applicants
Institution(s)
Funding Amount
Funding Partner
2018
Improving Cancer Screening for Immigrant and Refugee Adults in New Brunswick
Dr. David Busolo
Drs. Tracey Rickards, Krista Wilkins (UNB); Dr. Roberta Woodgate (University of Manitoba)
University of New Brunswick; University of Manitoba
$24,958 (Y1), $24,873 (Y2)
New Brunswick Health Research Foundation
2018
NAD⁺-Synthesizing Enzyme NMNAT3 as a Novel Therapeutic Target in Cancers
Dr. Shashi Gujar
Dr. Tanveer Sharif (Postdoctoral Fellow, Pathology, Dalhousie University)
Dalhousie University
$25,000/year × 2 years
Not specified
2017
A Pilot Trial of CBT for Insomnia and Cognitive Complaints in Breast Cancer Survivors
Dr. Sheila Garland
Drs. John Thoms, Melanie Seal (Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University)
Memorial University
$23,024.29 (Y1), $23,642.24 (Y2)
Subject to matching funds
2017
Contribution of Gut Microbiome to Febrile Neutropenia in Children with Hematological Malignancies
Dr. Ketan Kulkarni
Drs. Johan Van Limbergen (IWK), Morgan Langille, Joseph Bielawski (Dalhousie University)
IWK Health Centre; Dalhousie University
$22,183/year × 2 years
Not specified
2017
Elucidating Molecular Basis of MITF Transcription Factor Function
Dr. David Langelaan
—
Dalhousie University
$25,000/year × 2 years
Not specified
2016
Leveraging NK Cell Diversity for Precision Cancer Immunotherapy
Dr. Jeanette Boudreau
—
Dalhousie University
$25,000/year × 2 years
Not specified
2016
Molecular Imaging to Evaluate Immunotherapy in an Ovarian Cancer Model
Dr. Kimberly Brewer
Dr. Marianne Stanford (Immunovaccine Inc., Dalhousie University)
