Rising star cancer researcher is leading a cutting-edge study and supporting other up-and-coming scientists

Kimberly Skead says it’s a very exciting time to be cancer research trainee. And she’s certainly making the most of it.

Skead is a University of Toronto PhD candidate based in Dr. Philip Awadalla’s OICR lab, where she is leading cutting-edge research to understand how changes in our DNA affect our risk of cancer. She also serves as National Scientific Coordinator of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath), where she plays a key role in the country’s largest population cohort study.

Beyond her own research, Skead is also empowering other up-and-coming researchers. She co-leads the Ontario Rising Stars in Cancer Research Network, which connects and supports trainee cancer researchers across the province.

As she nears the end of her PhD studies, Skead says she’s excited for all the opportunities ahead of her and her fellow trainees. With increased collaboration between public and private sector researchers, she says there are more chances than ever to make an impact.

“We can start asking questions we’ve never been able to ask before,” says Skead, “and hopefully advance our progress toward a cure for cancer.”