Author: Amanda Wanner

Bianca Vizcaino

Post author By Amanda Wanner
Post date November 17, 2020

B.Sc. Biology, UBCO 2021

Projects:

Lung Cancer Wait Times

Bianca is a recent UBCO graduate where she obtained a BSc with an emphasis in Biology and Psychology. Having taken a wide variety of undergraduate courses while acquiring research experience across disciplines including electrical engineering, Bianca is motivated to continue participating in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research to further improve her critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As an aspiring medical doctor, she is excited to utilize her research skill set to improve the quality of healthcare. Further, she has joined the Early Detection Team to work alongside Dr. Humer on a retrospective chart review aimed at quantifying wait times for the Interior Thoracic Group’s surgical lung cancer patients to determine areas for improvement. During her leisure time, Bianca enjoys hiking, volunteering in the local community, and spending time with family.

Tags past-student

Uncategorized

Anna Zhu

Post author By Amanda Wanner
Post date November 17, 2020

B.S. Statistics, SMU 2021
B.A. Biology, SMU 2021
B.A. Music, SMU 2021

Projects:

Breast Density and Image Quality Analysis
Segmentation of CT images with Deep Learning AI for Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy

Anna grew up in Houston, TX and is currently a senior studying at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She joined the Early Detection Research Group in the summer of 2020 and is working on the two projects mentioned above. In her spare time, Anna enjoys cooking and making music.

Tags past-student

Uncategorized

Dr. Lisa Kanary

Post author By Amanda Wanner
Post date November 17, 2020

PhD, University of New Brunswick
B.Sc. Cape Breton University

Radiation Oncologist

Projects:

Family Burden

Lisa is involved in modelling breast cancer incidence and early detection, and measuring the impact on young families and caregivers of those diagnosed with breast cancer.

Tags past-member

Uncategorized

Dr. Elena Ostroumov

Post author By Amanda Wanner
Post date November 17, 2020

PhD

Cancer Biologist

Elena has a Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology and Biochemistry followed by postdoctoral training in Cancer Biology and Immunology. Her further research was focused on studying intracellular malignant pathways in variety of cancers, and identifying mechanisms for therapeutic intervention. Elena’s current research interest lies in the field of clinical studies aiming at breast cancer risk estimation in the female population of British Columbia at the BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the Southern Interior. Elena’s other activities include academic teaching and facilitation.

Tags past-member

Uncategorized

Dr. Cynthia Araujo

Post author By Amanda Wanner
Post date November 17, 2020

PhD MCCPM

Medical Physicist

Dr. Cynthia Araujo is a Senior Medical Physicist at the Centre for the Southern Interior of the BC Cancer Agency in Kelowna. Her work focuses on the safe and effective use of radiation for the treatment of cancer. She is interested in developments in early detection to reduce the effects of cancer.

Tags past-member

Uncategorized

Dr. Sarah Lucas

Post author By Amanda Wanner
Post date November 17, 2020

MD, University of British Columbia

Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Sarah Lucas is a radiation oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the Southern Interior in Kelowna. She received her MD from the UBC, Northern Medical Program and completed her Radiation Oncology residency at UBC in Vancouver.

Here in the Okanagan, Sarah enjoys mountain biking, running and stand up paddle boarding with her husband and daughter. She is also dabbling in amateur photography in her spare time.

Tags current-member

Uncategorized

Dr. Sara Taylor

Post author By Amanda Wanner
Post date November 17, 2020

MD, McGill University
Medical Oncology Residency, Queen’s University
Breast Cancer and Early Development Fellowship, University of Toronto

Medical Oncologist

Dr. Sara Taylor is a medical oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the Southern Interior in Kelowna. She is the medical director of the Clinical Trials Unit at CSI and is passionate about breast cancer and new drug development. She is interested improving outcomes for patients at all stages of their disease, including optimizing early detection of cancer to make treatments more effective.

Sara enjoys the outdoor life in the Okanagan including skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and playing with her kids.

Tags current-member

Uncategorized

Dr. Rasika Rajapakshe

Post author By Amanda Wanner
Post date November 17, 2020

PhD (University of Manitoba) FCCPM

Medical Physicist

Dr. Rasika Rajapakshe is a senior medical physicist at the Center for the Southern Interior of the BC Cancer Agency in Kelowna. He has been involved in the Screening Mammography Program of British Columbia (SMPBC) since 1995. Currently he is the Physics Leader for the SMPBC. He is also a member of the Academic and Screeners Advisory committees of the SMPBC. He is the Chairman of the Physics of Mammography Accreditation Committee at the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine. He also serves as an external reviewer for the Mammography Accreditation Program of the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR-MAP).

Read Rasika’s story in Forward magazine here.

Tags current-member

Uncategorized

Dr. Michael Humer

Post author By Amanda Wanner
Post date November 17, 2020

Thoracic Surgeon

Dr. Michael Humer is a Thoracic Surgeon for the Interior Health Authority. In addition to running telethoracic clinics to Cranbrook, Trail, Nelson, Kamloops and Williams Lake, inside IHA, he also conducts telethoracic clinics for Prince George and Quesnel in the Northern Health Authority.