The Jen Johnston Prize for Research Excellence

The Jen Johnston Prize for Research Excellence

The Jen Johnston Prize recognizes outstanding trainee-led cancer research through a published paper where the trainee is sole or co-first author. Established in 2022 through memorial donations honoring Jen Johnston, daughter of former BHCRI Scientific Director Dr. Gerry Johnston, the prize celebrates her legacy and passion for research.

The 2026 Jen Johnston Prize for Research Excellence

This year's award is valued at $1,820 and open to current CRTP trainees and those who completed their training within two years of the application deadline. Eligible applicants may be at any training level (MSc, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, or resident) and may work in any area of cancer research. The prize focus alternates each year between discovery/fundamental, applied health (including population, psychosocial, and behavioural), and clinical research.

Research Focus Area: Applied Health (including population, psychosocial, and behavioral).

📅 Key Dates:

Deadline to Submit Application: November 30, 2026.

The winning trainee will present their research at BHCRI's upcoming Spring 2027 Bi-Annual Conference.

Full Application:  ACCESS HERE

Recipient details will be shared via the BHCRI website and social media. For questions, please do not hesitate to contact admin@bhcri.ca.

“This was taken at a sci-fi convention the year before Jen died (Jen is on the left!). Jen was one of the makeup artists for the event. This picture captures Jen's spirit and unwavering sense of fun” – Gerry and Judy Johnston

2025 JEN JOHNSTON PRIZE RECIPIENT

DR. MODELINE LONGJOHN

Modeline Longjohn is a Postdoctoral Associate and Guest Lecturer at Western University, London. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from Memorial University of Newfoundland, an MSc in Cancer Biology from Nottingham Trent University, and a BSc (Hons) in Genetics from the University of Liverpool. Her research interests are in cancer biomarker and druggable target discovery through secretomics, and liquid biopsy research. Currently, Modeline is investigating the interplay between secretomics and hypoxia in triple negative breast cancer organotrophic metastasis. She has received notable awards and recognitions including the BHCRI CRTP, and the YWCA St. John’s woman of Distinction in Science and technology awards. Outside research, Modeline is a freelance scientific writer and a creative writer publishing under a pseudonym.

Recognizing outstanding trainee-led cancer research, the Jen Johnston Prize was awarded to Dr. Longjohn for her published study on extracellular vesicle small RNA cargo as a discriminator for pediatric B-lymphoblastic leukemia.

Dr. Longjohn presented her research at the BHCRI 2025 Cancer Research Conference.

Publication: Longjohn, M. N., et al. (2023). Extracellular vesicle small RNA cargo discriminates non-cancer donors from pediatric B-lymphoblastic leukemia patients. Frontiers in Oncology, 13, 1272883. DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1272883

 

2024 Recipient –  Dr. Heinze

  • Institution: Dalhousie University (PhD)
  • Research Focus: Activating cancer communities through an exercise strategy for survivors: an effectiveness-implementation trial. 
  • Impact: Positive impacts that engaging with physical activity and exercise can have on one’s cancer journey.
  • Award Significance: Allows Dr. Heinze to share the story of the ACCESS program while channeling the values Jen embodied and push for improvements in how our health system can better support people affected by cancer.
  • Platform Presentation: 

 

2023 Recipient – Dr. Perri Tutelman

  • Institution: Dalhousie University (PhD); Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Calgary & Alberta Health Services
  • Research Focus: Developed and validated tools to assess fear of cancer recurrence in childhood cancer survivors and their parents.
  • Impact: First to create child-specific measures for this fear, helping improve psychosocial care post-treatment.
  • Award Significance: Honours Jen Johnston’s legacy by supporting research that directly improves the lives of young cancer survivors and their families.
  • Platform Presentation: October BHCRI Workshop

2022 Recipient – Marie-Claire Wasson

MC Wasson

Marie-Claire Wasson, The First Jen Johnston Prize Winner

  • Institution: Dalhousie University, Department of Pathology

  • Research Focus: Investigated long non-coding RNAs as potential targets for triple-negative breast cancer treatment.

  • Impact: Aims to expand treatment options by identifying new molecular pathways involved in cancer progression.

  • Award Significance: Celebrates MC’s commitment to cancer research and her compassionate approach to science and patient care.

  • Platform Presentation: May BHCRI Workshop

Pictured below, MC with Judy and Gerry Johnston.