Erin Stewart - Medical Biophysics

PhD Candidate
Country of Origin:  Liverpool, Nova Scotia Canada
Pre-MSc/PhD Education: BSc with honours thesis in Biochemistry and double minor in Biology and Chemistry at Mount Allison University, NB, Canada.

Recent Research Experience:
Translational lung cancer research in personalized medicine.

Current Research:
Currently I am studying the development of resistance to targeted therapies in cancer patients, a major hurdle for personalized medicine. To do this I am using patient-derived xenograft models from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients that have activating EGFR mutations. NSCLC patients’ with these activating EGFR mutations often respond well to EGFR-targeting therapies, however the vast majority of them develop resistance within roughly a year. To prolong progression-free and overall survival in these patients we need to better understand exactly how this resistance occurs.

Why Faculty of Medicine?
The Faculty of Medicine boasts some of the top researchers of personalized cancer therapies, an approach that many believe is the future of cancer treatment. Through the Faculty of Medicine and the Department of Medical Biophysics, I am able to conduct my thesis in one of the top five cancer research institutes in the world, doing cutting-edge and relevant research.

Future Education Plans and/or Career Goals:
My future career goals are still a bit under development, which is also part of the reason that I chose the Faculty of Medicine. This is such a collaborative and transdisciplinary faculty that I get to meet professionals from many different educational backgrounds and career paths. I am finding that this exposure is proving to be extremely helpful for me to find a career that I am truly passionate about.

Contact Ambassador Erin Stewart