Research

Cancer is a complex, group of diseases and our risk is modulated by both our environment and our genes. The goal of the GENIC Research Lab is to explore and examine the interplay between our genes and environment, as well as the interplay between different genes, modify cancer risk.

Current research focuses on examining the risk factors associated with colorectal and breast cancer, with a primary project looking at factors that are contributing to the high rates of colorectal cancer in Atlantic Canada. To give context, the national average hovers around 65-70 cases of CRC per 100,000, while Newfoundland (where I call home) sits close to 110, NS is around 90, while NB and PEI are around 80 cases per 100,000. The top 4 provincial spots belong to Atlantic Canada. The goal of this project, which is generously supported by CIHR and the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, aims to better understand why this is happening in the East Coast.

Current Team Members

HQP (High quality personnel) training is an important responsibility of all researchers, particularly at StFX. The goal of the GENIC lab is to exposed HQPs to a variety of research methods and techniques to develop interdisciplinary research skills in a variety of areas, including epidemiology, statistics, and computer science.

• Andrea Morrish (HLTH). Supported by Research NS Scotia Scholar and Irving Oil Research Mentorship Award.
• Avery Cook (BIOL). Supported by Research NS Scotia Scholar.

Regardless of your skills, if you’re interested in research, drop me a line.

Past Team Members

Past members of my team or research group have gone on to a variety of careers and I am proud to have supported their journey.

• Kylie Curnew (HLTH). First Position: MSc, Dalhousie University.
• Maureen O’Brien (HLTH). First Position: MSc, University of Calgary.
• Livia Clarke (Dalhousie MD Program).
• Sumaiya Amin (CSCI). First Position: Technical Support Advisor, Concentrix.
• Tiffany Bondoc (HLTH). First Position: MSGC, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
• Carlee Feinstein (HLTH). First Position: MPH, University of Toronto.
• Ally Hancock (MATH). First Position: MA, University of British Columbia.
• Alison Walsh (HLTH). First Position: MD, Memorial University.
• Kennedy Nangle (BIOL). First Position: MSc, University of Ottawa.
• Samantha Bardwell (MATH). First Position: MSc, University of British Columbia.
• Jacob Burke (MATH). First Position: MSSP, Boston University.
• Grace Tompkins (MATH). First Position: MSc, University of Waterloo.