Author: Amanda Wanner

UBC Faculty of Medicine, Class of 2019
B.Sc. Biology, University of Victoria 2015

Projects:

• Development of a Natural History Model for Breast Cancer using CADe/CADx

During Ali’s undergraduate years in Biology at the University of Victoria, she was involved in research comparing types and outcomes of laparoscopic hysterectomies in a general gynaecological unit. She was accepted to the UBC Faculty of Medicine at the southern Medical Program (SMP) in Kelowna, and has thoroughly enjoyed her first year. Ali was privileged to be accepted for the Summer Student Research Program, receiving the Pritchard Scholarship to work on a project for the Early Detection team. Ali is overjoyed to be living in the sunny Okanagan, spending her free time hiking, swimming, and visiting the world-class wineries. 

B.Sc. Microbiology, UBCO 2016
UBC Faculty of Medicine, Class of 2021

Projects:

• Integration of a Web-Based Follow-Up Platform into the BC Cancer Agency for Improving Quality of Life Care and Research

Raised in small town Merritt, Bhavan moved to Kelowna, where she now calls home, to attend UBC Okanagan. She graduated with her BSc in Microbiology in 2016 and is excited to return to UBC in the Faculty of Medicine Southern Medical Program this fall. She joined the Early Detection Group May 2015 to assist with a feasibility study evaluating the potential success of an online platform for the collection of patient reported outcomes. In addition, she assists the Pain and Symptom Management Clinic with a study evaluating resources for advanced care planning and also, she helped implement a new provincial data tracking system for BCCA Clinical Trials. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with family, baking and spending time outdoors.

B.Sc. with Honours in Computer Science, UBCO 2016

Projects (2015):

• Patient Satisfaction with Breast Cancer Surgical Treatments

Kevin is entering his fourth year at UBCO in Honours Computer Science. His experience primarily stands in full-stack web development, but he has worked with a collection of the newest development technologies out there. His honours thesis will study analyzing large data sets with in-memory databases. He maintains a very active lifestyle and has immersed himself in music and design.All in all, Kevin is a computer science student, fitness enthusiast and proud geek.

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine, Class of 2020
B.Sc. Physics (Honours), UBCO 2016

Projects:

• Development of Ultra-High Resolution CT for Differential Diagnosis of Lung Nodules Found Using Low Dose CT

Graduating in 2016, Nolan has completed his B.Sc. in physics, including an honors thesis on nanopore force spectroscopy. Aspiring to one day practice medicine, he is passionate about philosophical development, experiencing the great outdoors, and growing a mustache. Living in the beautiful Okanagan Valley has provided him an excellent outlet for activities such as ski patrolling, alpine touring, hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. On three separate occasions Nolan has swam across Lake Okanagan to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society (and because it was there). 

B.Sc. Honours Mathematics and Computer Science, UBCO, 2017

Projects:

• microsimulation model
• risk assessment of false positive mammography screenings

Tony joined the Early Detection group in the Summer of 2015, after attending a career seminar where Dr. Rasika Rajapakshe was a key note speaker. After completing his degree he plans on obtaining a M.Sc. in computer science and potentially his Ph.D. Outside of work Tony enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, movies, books, dancing and experiencing the beautiful Okanagan.

B.Sc. in Biochemistry, Minor in Chemistry, UBCO 2016

Projects (2015):

• Wait Times for Lung Cancer Patients in BC

Yousif is joining the BCCA after receiving a summer research award (SSRP) from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Yousif has completed the third year of his BSc. program at UBC Okanagan with a major in biochemistry and a minor in chemistry and is joining the BCCA to work on quantifying wait times in the thoracic surgical lung cancer pathway. The purpose of this project is to identify and compare the fastest and slowest wait times to determine the available areas for improvement. In his free time Yousif enjoys driving, reading automotive articles from around the web and discussing all that’s new with fellow car enthusiasts especially at UBCO.

B. Sci. Computer Science/Mathematics, UBCO 2018

Projects:

• Mammography Quality Control
• Validation of Volumetric Breast Density as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer Screening

Zifang is an undergraduate student in UBC Okanagan; she has joined the Early Detection group in 2015. She became interested in imaging analysis since high school, as she was involved in a bio-imaging research project with the National University of Singapore. Outside of work, she plays the violin as a hobby. 

B.Sc. Chemistry (Honours), Minor in Computer Science, UBCO 2016

Projects:

• Validation of Volumetric Breast Density as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer Screening
• DICOM De-Identifier Software

From the city of Surrey, Carson has settled in the Okanagan over the last 5 years. During his now completed Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry (Hon.) with a Minor in Computer Science, Carson was part of the team that began the DICOM De-Identification program. Carson had the opportunity to continue this work as a summer project in 2016. Since then, he has been working at the Agency as a student, continuing to work on a Breast Density Validation project, while often also producing other utility programs to help streamline clinical protocols. One such project he developed produces 3D Printed Electron Cut-Out blocks from both marked up patient images, as well as directly from the treatment planning system. In August 2017, Carson will begin the Bachelor of Education program at UBCO. He hopes keep his computer science foundations close at hand and possibly pass on knowledge to his future students.

B.Sc Midwifery, UBC Class of 2019
B.Sc. Biochemistry (Honours), UBCO 2014

Projects:

• Development of a Natural History Model for Breast Cancer using CADe/CADx
• Development of Ultra-High Resolution CT for Differential Diagnosis of Lung Nodules Found Using Low Dose CT

Becca is excited to be returning for her third summer with the Early Detection Research Group. This year she will be working with Dr. Rasika Rajapakshe and fellow student, Ali Silver, in the preliminary development of a natural history model for breast cancer. She completed a BSc in Medical Biochemistry at UBC-Okanagan back in 2014, and is now entering her 2nd year of Midwifery studies at UBC Vancouver. She is very happy to be home in the Okanagan Valley for the summer, taking advantage of time with friends, family, the Enderby Drive-in, and spending time at the lake.

B.Sc. Psychology (Honours), UBCO 2017

Projects:

• Integration of a Web-Based Follow-Up Platform into the BC Cancer Agency for Improving Quality of Life Care and Research

Emily recently graduated from UBC Okanagan with a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Psychology. Emily is thrilled to be joining the Early Detection team this summer and to be working alongside the inspiring individuals who make up this group. With a background in modern communication research, she is looking forward to working with patients to determine the feasibility of an online platform for the collection of patient reported outcomes (PROs). In her free time she enjoys cooking, reading, and adventuring around the Okanagan.