Author: Amanda Wanner

B.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UBCO 2020

Projects:

• Cardiac Toxicity

Sydney graduated UBCO this spring with a BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Her research with BC Cancer focuses on examining the effects of coronary artery calcium in breast cancer survivors treated with radiation. In addition to joining the Early Detection Research Group, Sydney has a strong passion for women’s health initiatives in the Kelowna community and volunteers with Options for Sexual Health and the Pink Backpack Project. In her spare time, Sydney enjoys winemaking, gardening and yoga. She hopes to pursue family medicine with a specialization in female health.

BSc. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, UBCO 2017
BSc. Computer Science, UBCO 2021

Projects:

• De-identification, curation, and migration of large volume DICOM imaging data to AWS

I was born in Kelowna and appreciate the what the Okanagan Valley has to offer! I’ve been interested in pursuing a career in the medical field for quite some time, but decided to take a few years off after my first degree and try my childhood dream of cooking for a living. That completely changed once I started programming, and now I’m very excited to be involved with the Early Detection Research Group in a technology focused role. I’m a bit of a generalist and tend to have a new hobby every few months, but some constants are food and wine, reading, and looking for great new music to enjoy.

B.Sc. Computer Information Systems (2020), Okanagan College

Projects:

• http://MammoQc.ca
• Breast Density Identification Tool

Pritpal is a Computer Science student from Penticton, BC who joined the early detection research group after completing a capstone project for Dr. Rasika Rajpakshe in January 2019. With his primary focus being the ongoing development of the MammoQc platform, he also assists his peers with various Machine Learning and Data Analysis projects pertaining to tumour detection. Pritpal enjoys learning new programming tools, hiking to scenic viewpoints, and playing basketball.

B.Sc. Biology, UBCO 2017
UBC Southern Medical Program, Class of 2023

Projects:

• Wait Times for Lung Cancer Patients in BC

Marisa grew up in Vernon, BC and graduated in 2017 from UBC Okanagan with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She started working at BC Cancer under the UBC Summer Student Research Program in June 2017, and has continued on with a project analyzing time to care and surgical resection rates for lung cancer surgical patients in the BC Interior.  Marisa recently completed her 1st year at UBC’s Southern Medical Program in Kelowna, and is focusing this summer on studying equity of access to PET/CT imaging in the BC Interior and North.

Msc Statistics, University of Calgary 2019

Projects:

• Validation of Volumetric Breast Density as an Imaging Biomarker for Predicting Breast Cancer Risk and Prognostication
• Risk of Breast Cancer after a False-Positive Screening Mammogram in relation to mammographic abnormality: a population-based study in BC

I was raised up in China and came to Canada for my master program in 2017. After graduating from University of Calgary, I joined the Early Detection Research Group. Now I am working on the two projects mentioned above. Hobbies: skiing, hiking and baking.

B.Sc. Math, UBCO 2015
M.Sc. Data Science, UBCO 2019 Candidate

Projects:

• Breast Cancer Care Pathway and Micro-simulation Model

Joyce joined the Early Detection Research Group after graduating from UBC Okanagan with a BSc in Math. Now as an MSc student at UBCO, she is working on building a prognostication model using mammographic features and well-known risk factors that can predict breast cancer risk and outcomes. Outside of work, Joyce enjoys hiking, biking, and badminton.

B.Sc. Biochemistry (Honours) and Chemistry, UBCO 2017
UBC Faculty of Medicine, Class of 2022

Projects:

• Investigating Computed Tomography Radiomic-based Features for Predicting Radiation Pneumonitis Development

Jordan attended UBCO where he completed a BSc in Chemistry and honours in Biochemistry in the Lab of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology. He started working on a new project at the BCCA in May 2017 with Dr. Angela Lin that seeks to predict patients who are at high risk of radiation pneumonitis. In his spare time Jordan coaches athletes on Kelowna’s Special Olympics swimming team and is an avid downhill skier in the winter and a slalom skier in the summer. He is excited to continue his education and will be starting his first year of medical school this fall through UBC’s northern medical program.

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

Projects:

• Wait Times for Lung Cancer Patients in BC

I wJanine grew up in Kelowna and graduated with a BSc in medical biochemistry from UBCO in 2016. She started working at the BCCA last summer when she received SSRP funding through UBC Faculty of Medicine to work on a project about surgical wait time for lung cancer in BC. This past year she spent five months volunteering in Africa, after which she returned to continue the same project. She is excited to spend her summer exploring the Okanagan before entering her first year of Medical school this fall at UBC’s southern medical program.

Human Kinetics, UBCO

Projects:

• Validation of Volumetric Breast Density as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer

Cara grew up in Alberta and is currently studying Human Kinetics at UBC Okanagan. She is excited to work alongside Dr. Farnquist and the Early Detection Team under the Faculty of Medicine Summer Student Research Program on a project aiming to validate volumetric breast density as a risk factor for breast cancer. Outside of school and research, Cara spends time in the Kelowna community volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Options for Sexual Health Clinic. In her spare time, Cara enjoys downhill skiing, travelling, and playing rugby.