Postdoctoral fellows receive Banting Fellowship

How do immune cells know what to do with what they “eat”?

Abstract:

Our immune system is responsible for the protection of our body, by detecting and destroying cells that are cancerous. However, sometimes our immune system fails to detect a problem, leading to the development of cancer. In pediatric cancer, we know that CD8 T cells fail to destroy cancerous cells.

But what are CD8 T cells? CD8 T cells are white blood cells specialized in the detection and the attack of cancer cells. They travel throughout our bodies and find cancer cells. Like us, CD8 T cells need to “eat” to stay alive, to move, and to function normally. Without nutrients, CD8 T cells don’t have the ability to fight off cancerous cells. These nutrients are needed to generate energy, and building blocks (called metabolites) for growth both to exert their protective functions.

What is the link between nutrients, CD8 T cells, and cancer? In the context of cancer, there is a fight for nutrients between CD8 T cells and cancerous cells. CD8 T cells have to quickly adapt when they are in this competition, to make sure they maintain their protective functions. We know that CD8 T cells have the ability to rapidly switch from using nutrients to make building blocks to burning nutrients to make energy, but we do not understand how this is regulated. The aim of my project is to understand how CD8 T cells know which nutrients are around them, and how they “choose” to switch between building and burning. By growing CD8 T cells in a laboratory setting, we can change nutrient availability and measure the changes in T cell anti-cancer functions.

Why is it important? From a previous study, we know that CD8 T cells grown in a laboratory setting, after restricting their food, followed by re-feed, they provide better protection against cancer. Understanding how CD8 T cells “eat” and use their nutrients to make building blocks to grow or generate energy to kill cancer cells will help develop better therapies or increase the efficacy of current therapies to treat pediatric cancer.

Banting start date: October 2024

Read more about Jonah in their spotlight

Germany and the Trans Historical Imaginary: Affective Reimaginations of the Transgender Past

Abstract:

In the last decade transgender history has become a significant battleground in contemporary “culture wars.” While trans antagonistic discourses question the notion that trans people have a past and claim trans identities to be a “trend” emblematic of an advancing unravelling of civilization and imminent cultural collapse, trans activists and their allies are turning towards history to document a longue durée of trans existence. A recent uptake of cultural productions dealing with transgender history is an extension of this longing for trans history. Numerous films, TV shows, plays, public history projects, and museum exhibitions aim at making visible different aspects of past trans lives. Notably, a plethora of these cultural productions are focussing on transgender history in early-twentieth-century Germany. Together with the historical sources on which they – sometimes rather loosely – draw, they form a hybrid network of meaning making about the transgender past. "Germany and the Trans Historical Imaginary" investigates these collective memories and their powerful role in constructing present trans identities, communities, and politics. The research project explores how German history and German archives inform the (re)writings of the transgender past and elaborates the political, theoretical, and cultural stakes of these historical imaginations.

Smart hydrogel device for esophageal cancer management

Lay Abstract:

Esophageal cancer is a lethal cancer with 5-year survival rate of 16%. Major efforts have concentrated on treating advanced stage diseases without significantly improving overall survival. Further, complications associated with surgical resection and tumour recurrences compromise quality of life and shorten survival. This project proposes a holistic strategy to treat patients while they can still be well managed by developing a state-of-the-art endoscopically applied hydrogel device to: stop bleeding and prevent stricture to accelerate wound healing after surgery; deliver targeted precision drugs locally to increase treatment efficacy and avoid systemic toxicity; and eliminate residual cancers to prevent recurrence. The successful development of the hydrogel device will transform the treatment strategy for early-stage esophageal cancer, enhance patient post-surgical care, and reduce the economic burden of cancer management on BC health system. In addition, these devices could be therapeutic options for other cancers if loaded with appropriate treatments. For this reason, the impact of this work may reach far beyond improving outcomes for esophageal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers.

Banting start date: April 2024

How big data can help us predict animal movement in a changing climate

Abstract:

Our planet is facing an unprecedented threat: climate change. This is not just a buzzword; climate change is driving countless species towards extinction worldwide. Understanding how animals respond to this crisis is vital, and individual variation plays a crucial role in shaping these responses. Despite its importance, individual variation has often been overlooked due to technological and methodological limitations. To tackle this challenge, I propose ground breaking research that aims to unravel how current and projected climate change will alter animal movement.

Using state-of-the-art predictive models and innovative analytical techniques, I will analyze billions of individual movement data points from terrestrial, avian, and aquatic systems, along with climate projections, to show how different species are currently responding to climate change and how they will respond under future climate scenarios. This integrated approach will inform global species conservation and management plans, ensuring that we can anticipate and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on biodiversity.

By providing a predictive framework that unravels the intricate relationship between animal movement and climate change we will be able to identify what characteristics make one species more resilient to climate change compared with those that should be considered conservation priorities. My research will empower decision-makers, conservationists, and the public to make informed choices by translating scientific findings into actionable conservation practices, ultimately contributing to the preservation of our natural heritage for future generations. Together, we can work towards a future where nature thrives despite the challenges posed by a changing climate.

Banting start date: September 2024

Biodiversity loss and cascading species extinctions

Abstract:

Our world is currently facing rapid and intense biodiversity loss that has been termed the sixth mass extinction event. When a single species goes extinct, from drivers such as climate change, over-exploitation, habitat destruction, etc., this can cause other species to go extinct as a result (e.g., predator going extinct after it's prey goes extinct). However, our understanding of if and when these extinctions cascade to other species remains poorly understood, leaving a resounding gap in our knowledge of the intense biodiversity crisis facing our world. Here, I will evaluate if cascading species extinctions are influenced by i) how species are interacting with one another and ii) the order in which species go extinct. I will conduct this work with Dr. Diane Srivastava at the University of British Columbia using microcosm experiments in the lab to easily manipulate "small worlds" of ecological communities and a quantitative synthesis of previous research across multiple ecosystems to evaluate generality of these patterns. This work will provide insight into the currently unfolding biodiversity crisis that is threatening not only Canada, but every country around the world, as species are rapidly disappearing, likely initiating cascading species extinctions. Given the current pace of extinctions and disturbances occurring worldwide, it's crucial to increase our understanding of the consequences of this biodiversity loss and the implications on how ecosystems look and function.

Banting start date: September 2024

Read more about Codie in his profile

Engaging the Public from Sexual and Gender Minority Communities to Co-Develop Research Questions about Living with Pain

Abstract:

Chronic pain affects one in four Canadians, with a greater impact on individuals who identify as sexual and gender minorities. Unfortunately, we do not know enough about how pain specifically affects this group, and individuals often face challenges accessing healthcare and have negative experiences with providers. It is important for us to prioritize and ask specific research questions that will help us learn more about the unique pain challenges for this community to improve health outcomes. To address this, our research team is using an innovative research methodology to develop research questions that are meaningful for sexual and gender minority individuals who experience pain. Citizen Science is a way for the public to actively contribute their knowledge, health-related information, and personal experiences with health to help shape science. Our team has developed an online platform that uses the principles of Citizen Science, where members of the public who experience pain can share information about their symptoms and experiences, providing valuable information to help researchers better understand their unique needs. We will use this information gathering pain-related information from the sexual and gender minority public using our online platform, collaborating with a diverse working group of sexual and gender minority individuals to co-develop research questions, and re-engage with the public to co-prioritize these questions. We will use various strategies (in-person events and online outreach), to ensure diverse study participation, including perspectives of those who are often overlooked in pain research. Through this innovative approach, we hope to develop meaningful research questions that help us understand pain and improve health outcomes for the sexual and gender minority community.

Banting start date: April 2024

Can wildlife keep pace with extreme heat and wildfires?

Abstract:

As climate rapidly warms, megafauna will be under increasing pressures from heat and wildfires. The potential to capture events as natural experiments has increased with the use of GPS technology to monitor wildlife remotely. Such natural experiments are exceptionally rare, and require both serendipity, rigorous monitoring, and the ability to capitalize on scientific discovery in a rapid manner. GPS-collars were deployed on six ungulate species (bighorn sheep, caribou, elk, moose, mountain goats, and mule deer) and two apex carnivore species (cougars and grizzly bears) in British Columbia. Locations of individuals were collected throughout the 2021 summer heat dome, creating a repeated natural experiment where movement responses can be modelled before, during, and after thermal events to address: How do animals move during extreme heat? Active collars were on wood buffalo in northeastern Alberta in spring 2023 when a fire complex burned ~ 200, 000 hectares. This incidental sampling provides an opportunity for a before, during, and after study to ask: How do animals move during active wildfires? Caribou, moose, and mule deer in British Columbia and wood buffalo in Alberta are ecologically and culturally significant species. SARA and COSEWIC designate caribou as Threatened across Canada due to habitat disturbance and apparent competition. Wood bison are Special Concern as listed by SARA and COSEWIC due to interbreeding, disease, and habitat loss resulting from the Athabasca oil sands. Most management decisions are informed by research conducted during the winter. However, summers are becoming increasingly more strenuous to wildlife in Canada due to increasing temperatures and wildfire severity. Shifting management perspectives early, to recognize the importance summer range management is critical to supporting these populations.

Banting start date: September 2024

Clean technology solutions for sustainable mine energy systems in Northern Canada

Abstract:

The minerals and metals industry plays a crucial role in Canada's economy. However, the future demands advanced and sustainable mining practices, especially in the pristine and challenging landscapes of Canada's northern regions. There are three important questions that need answers: 1) How can we use clean technology to meet the heating needs in Northern Canada? 2) How can we protect permafrost in the northern areas? 3) How can we enhance the use of geothermal energy that is abundant in Canadian mines in the North? To address these challenges, my research proposal focuses on three main objectives. Firstly, I aim to drive innovation in spray freezing technology as a viable alternative to fossil fuels for heating and cooling mines in Northern Canada. This involves developing a comprehensive framework that considers various factors like computationally efficient modeling, multi-scale analysis, and multi-physics aspects. Secondly, I plan to design and implement a renewable ground freezing system for Canadian mines in the North. This system will integrate a passive heat exchanger with cold energy storage devices (with phase change materials). This system aims to extract and store cold energy during the winter, which can then be utilized to maintain permafrost freezing throughout the year. Lastly, I will investigate the optimal control strategy for ground source heat pumps using carbon dioxide in mining operations within Canada's northern regions. This research aims to improve system efficiency and promote the accelerated electrification of the mining industry. Unlike traditional heat pumps that rely on synthetic refrigerants, the developed heat pumps utilize carbon dioxide as a natural refrigerant, combined with geothermal heat as a renewable and reliable energy source. By addressing these objectives, my research proposal seeks to contribute to developing sustainable mining practices in Canada's north, moving towards a cleaner and more energy-efficient mining industry.

Banting start date: September 2024

Read more abour Marco in his profile

Understanding How Cancer Patients are Exploited Online

Abstract:

My proposed research project examines how alternative cancer clinics leverage harmful online ecosystems to exploit cancer patients with incurable prognoses. When cancer patients and their families receive the devastating news of a terminal cancer diagnosis, they reasonably exhaust all possible treatment options in search of extending life or a cure. However, the options they identify may not be evidence-based medical options but exploitative purveyors of false hope. Predatory alternative cancer clinics rely upon online tech platforms to attract patients and shape their online reputations. Therefore, the extent and drivers facilitating incurable illness exploitation online are understudied and require urgent public health attention. This project seeks to develop a harmful online ecosystem conceptual framework to document and understand the synergistic impacts of technology platforms and how they exploit terminally ill cancer patients. I will use an interpretivist qualitative analysis approach to understand how technology platforms attract and mislead potential patients. My research will use several theories, including critical discourse theory, grounded theory, and policy analytic framing. The findings will be interpreted with special attention to the commercial determinants of health. To complete this research, I plan to complete six individual projects over two years. Specific data to be collected and analyzed from alternative cancer clinics includes: 1) sponsored Google search results; 2) YouTube ads; 3) Facebook and Instagram posts; 4) TikTok videos and comments; 5) Amazon products listing for cancer cures; and 6) crowdfunding campaigns for alternative treatment. My proposed research will help understand the harmful online environment created or enabled by online technology platforms and how their vested interests may be incompatible with preventing the exploitation of cancer patients.

Banting start date: September 2024