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Mitch Wiebe

M.Sc. Medical Physics, UBCO 2022
B.Sc. Physics (hons.), UBCO 2020

Projects:

  • Deep Learning Applications for Differential Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
  • Tomohistology
  • Lung Radiation Pneumonitis

Mitch is a Ph.D. student at UBC Okanagan with an M.Sc. in Medical Physics and B.Sc in Physics. He has contributed to projects that automatically classify biopsied lung samples with deep learning algorithms (specifically, convolutional neural networks) as well as projects that endeavour to predict patients at high-risk of developing radiation pneumonitis via radiomics. His Ph.D. research is focussed on developing ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (UHRCT) imaging techniques to improve the lung cancer screening workflow. Outside of academia, Mitch enjoys skateboarding, snowboarding, biking, and disc golf.

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Miao Yu

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.

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Joyce Epp

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

Projects:

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.

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Jordan McKenzie

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.

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Janine Olsen

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

Projects:

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.

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Cara Johnston

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.

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Bianca Vizcaino

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.

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Anna Zhu

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.

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Dr. Lisa Kanary

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.

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Dr. Elena Ostroumov

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.