BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//132.216.98.100//NONSGML kigkonsult.se iCalcreator 2.20.4// BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20251007T165036EDT-9918Wu2U2w@132.216.98.100 DTSTAMP:20251007T205036Z DESCRIPTION:Join D2R and the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute ( GCI) for an event in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Women's H istory Month\, in collaboration with Fondation du cancer du sein du Québec and the association Audace au féminin.\n\nAll are welcome to this in-pers on event to engage in discussion about how equity\, diversity and inclusio n and genomic-guided RNA therapeutics work in tandem to advance the fight against breast cancer. After opening remarks from breast cancer survivors\ , Jennifer Fitzpatrick and Mélissa Nelson\, this event will present two dy namic panels featuring researchers\, students\, and clinicians followed by a networking session with light refreshments.\n\nEvent Details\n\n\n Title : Breast Cancer & RNA Therapeutics: Exploring inclusive research and caree r opportunities\n Date: Wednesday\, October 22\, 2025\n Time: 5:00 to 8:30 P M \n Location: This is an in-person event - Bellini Building Atrium\n\n\nRe gister\n\nBe part of this transformative discussion on the future of the f ight against breast cancer. Secure your spot by October 19\, 2025!\n\n\n Re gister here to attend this event\n\n\nAgenda\n\n\n \n \n 5:00PM\n Open Doors\n \n \n 5:15PM\n Welcome & Opening Remarks by\n \n Giovanna Sebastiani\, Director of Administrations at D2R\n Trina Johnson\, Deputy Director at Rosalind an d Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI)\n Jennifer Fitzpatrick\, Breast can cer survivor and Assistant Professor\, Department of Human Genetics\, McGi ll University\n Mélissa Nelson\, Breast cancer survivor and Program Lead at Fondation cancer du sein du Québec\n \n \n \n \n 5:30PM\n \n Panel with professo rs and students – Discover genomic-guided RNA therapeutics research career s and research opportunities to fight breast cancer in an inclusive way \n \n \n \n Panelists: Alexandra Goudreau\, Yann Joly\, Alice Jason Nam\, Hellen Kuasne\, Laura Palma\n \n \n Moderator: Mariloue Daudier\n \n \n \n \n \n 6:30PM\n \n Patient partner and community – What are the expectations and needs of p atients living with breast cancer regarding precision medicine? How can we improve access to new therapies in a way that is both safe and efficient?   \n\n \n \n Panelists: Elize Dushime\, Mélissa Nelson\, Aldanie Rho\, Stepha nie Wong \n \n \n Moderator: Jennifer Fitzpatrick\n \n \n \n \n \n 7:30PM\n Closing Remarks & Networking Session\n \n \n\n\n\n Speakers\n\n Panel 1 | Discover gen omic-guided RNA therapeutics research careers and research opportunities t o fight breast cancer in an inclusive way\n\n \n\n \n Learn more about the sp eakers\n\n \n Alexandra Goudreau\n\n Alexandra Goudreau completed her Bachelo r’s in Biomedical Science and Master’s in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa before beginning her PhD in Experimental Medicine at 91ºÚÁÏÍø Uni versity in 2022. Her research focuses on identifying new drug targets for treatment-resistant metastatic breast cancer. Outside the lab\, she serves on the Equity\, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee at the Lady Da vis Institute. She is passionate about science communication and accessibi lity and about making cancer research more inclusive for both scientists a nd patients.\n\n Yann Joly\n\n Yann Joly is the Director of the Centre of Ge nomics and Policy (CGP) at 91ºÚÁÏÍø. He is a James 91ºÚÁÏÍø Profess or at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences\, Department of Human Ge netics. Prof. Joly is also an associate member of the Bioethics Unit and a t the Law Faculty at 91ºÚÁÏÍø. He has a secondary appointment as adjunct pro fessor at Yonsei University in South Korea. Prof. Joly was named advocatus emeritus by the Quebec Bar in 2012 and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2017.\n\n Alice Jisoo Nam \n\n Alice Jisoo Nam is a Ph.D. candidate in Biochemistry at 91ºÚÁÏÍø’s Rosalind & Morris Goodma n Cancer Institute\, where she investigates novel mechanisms of breast can cer progression and therapeutic resistance. One of her current projects fo cuses on the development of RNA-based therapeutics against an oncogenic sp lice variant of the HER2 protein. Alice’s work bridges molecular biology\, bioengineering\, and clinical collaboration to advance genomics-guided pr ecision medicine. Beyond the lab\, Alice is deeply committed to science co mmunication\, equity in STEM\, and trainee development.\n\n Hellen Kuasne\n \n Dr. Kuasne is a Research Associate at the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Ca ncer Institute at 91ºÚÁÏÍø. Her work focuses on developing precli nical models for functional precision medicine applications and drug valid ation. In addition to her research\, Dr. Kuasne manages the Breast Cancer Biobank\, led by Dr. Park\, and serves as a site cohort coordinator for th e Marathon of Hope (MoH) initiative\, coordinating genomic and transcripto mic sequencing of rare and metastatic breast cancer specimens.\n\n Laura Pa lma\n\n Laura received her Master of Science degree in Genetic Counselling from the University of Toronto in 2005 and joined the Division of Medical Genetics at the 91ºÚÁÏÍø Health Center\, where she remains today. Laura has worked for over 20 years in the field of hereditary cancer\, co unselling patients and families in both adult and pediatric settings. She is an Assistant Professor in the 91ºÚÁÏÍø Department of Human Genetics and h as contributed to the development and implementation of mainstreaming gene tic testing for breast and ovarian cancer at her hospital institution and is engaged in many aspects of the cancer genetics community both locally a nd nationally.\n\n Mariloue Daudier\n\n Mariloue is the Senior EDI Advisor f or the D2R initiative. She earned a Bachelor’s degree of Social Work from 91ºÚÁÏÍø in 2013 and a Master’s degree of Social Innovation Manag ement from HEC Montréal in 2016. She has over ten years of experience in E DI projects in many settings\, including the social economy sector\, commu nity organizations\, the private and public sectors. She is regularly invi ted as a speaker\, facilitator\, evaluator or trainer to share her experti se in EDI in different contexts.\n \n \n\n \n Panel 2 | What are the expectati ons and needs of patients living with breast cancer regarding precision me dicine. How can we improve access to new therapies in a way that is both s afe and efficient?\n\n \n\n \n Learn more about the speakers\n\n \n Elize Dushi me\n\n Elize Dushime is the Health Promotion Coordinator at the Quebec Brea st Cancer Foundation. With a professional training in Public Health and Nu trition\, she coordinates initiatives for breast cancer awareness and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.\n\n Mélissa Nelson\n\n Mélissa Nelson is a biochemist and nurse specializing in environmental health. She began her c areer in endocrinology research at the CHUM Research Centre before complet ing a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular medicine (genetics o ption). Driven by her passion for the fight against breast cancer\, she co ntinued her work in Dr. Sylvie Mader’s lab at the IRIC\, focusing on molec ular targeting in breast oncology. Now in remission from HER2+ hormone-dep endent breast cancer she uses her journey to raise awareness\, particularl y among Black and racialized women\, about the importance of information\, prevention\, and proactive approaches to breast cancer.\n\n Aldanie Rho\n \n Dr. Aldanie Rho is a dedicated and accomplished medical professional. Sh e earned her medical degree in both Haiti and Canada\, graduating from Uni versité Laval. She also holds a master's degree in public health and has a uthored numerous scientific publications in psychiatry\, clinical medicine \, and public health. Passionate about music and lifelong learning\, she b rings a well-rounded perspective to her work and community engagement. Sin ce 2024\, she has been actively involved with Audace au Féminin\, notably contributing to the Campagne Têtons Ben Drôle — a breast cancer awareness initiative aimed at promoting screening and encouraging participation in c linical research.\n\n Stephanie Wong\n\n Stephanie Wong is an assistant prof essor of surgery at 91ºÚÁÏÍø and a breast surgical oncologist at the JGH Seg al Cancer Centre. A graduate of 91ºÚÁÏÍø and the Harvard School o f Public Health\, she completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at D ana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Centre and Massachusetts General Hos pital. Dr. Wong directs the High Risk Breast Clinic at the JGH Stroll Canc er Prevention Centre and in 2021 was recipient of the FRQS Chercheurs Bour siers Cliniciens award for research on Optimizing Surgical Decision Making and Prevention Strategies for Women at Elevated Breast Cancer Risk.\n\n Je nnifer Fitzpatrick\n\n Jennifer Fitzpatrick is a genetic counsellor and Ass istant Professor in the Department of Human Genetics. She obtained her BSc in Biology from 91ºÚÁÏÍø and her MS in Human Genetics/Genetic Co unseling from the University of Michigan. She has worked clinically at the Hospital for Sick Children\, Toronto\, the University of Maryland Medical Center\, Baltimore\, the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the Jewish Gene ral Hospital. She is the Director of the MSc in Genetic Counselling Progra m and enjoys teaching and learning with students in the Faculties of Medic ine\, Biomedical Sciences and Law.\n \n \n\n DTSTART:20251022T210000Z DTEND:20251023T003000Z LOCATION:CA\, Bellini Building Atrium\, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler SUMMARY:In Person Event | Breast Cancer & RNA Therapeutics: Exploring inclu sive research and career opportunities URL:/research/channels/event/person-event-breast-cance r-rna-therapeutics-exploring-inclusive-research-and-career-opportunities-3 68005 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR