Meet Our Researchers

Get to know the scientists behind the discoveries!

CRINA is proud to showcase the diverse researchers driving cancer research forward at the University of Alberta. Stay tuned as more researchers are featured over the coming months.

Kris Baker
Kristi Baker
Associate Professor
Department of Oncology

Kristi is studying how to boost the immune system to fight cancer.

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YangXin Fu
YangXin Fu
Associate Professor
Department of Oncology

YangXin aims to translate his research into more effective treatments for ovarian cancer.

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Ing Swie Goping
Ing Swie Goping
Professor
Department of Biochemistry

Ing Swie is using 3D living tumor "avatars" to better understand breast cancer behavior.

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Ismail Ismail
Ismail Ismail
Associate Professor
Department of Oncology

Ismail studies how blocking DNA repair can overcome chemotherapy resistance.

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Craig Jones
Craig Jones
Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering

Craig’s research uses AI to analyze medical images.

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Adam Kinnaird
Adam Kinnaird
Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery

As a Surgeon Scientist, Adam both treats and researches prostate cancer.  

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Afsaneh Lavasanifar
Afsaneh Lavasanifar
Professor
Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Afsaneh is using nanotechnology to improve cancer treatments.

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Cheng-Han Lee
Cheng-Han Lee
Associate Professor
Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology 

For Cheng-Han, impact is about making a difference in cancer patients’ lives.

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Xingyu Li
Xingyu Li
Associate Professor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering 

Xingyu is using AI to analyze medical images and data.

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Vera Mazurak
Vera Mazurak
Professor
Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science

Vera's research is uncovering targeted nutritional strategies to fight cancer-related malnutrition and help patients stay stronger through treatment.

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Margaret McNeely
Margaret McNeely
Professor
Departments of Physical Therapy and Oncology

Margie's research is focused on minimizing cancer-related impairments using physical therapy and exercise.

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Reza Mirzaei
Reza Mirzaei
Assistant Professor
Departments of Oncology and Medical Microbiology & Immunology 

Reza is using a novel approach to study brain cancer. 

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Prasanna Neelakantan
Prasanna Neelakantan
Associate Professor
Mike Petryk School of Dentistry

Prasanna is working to prevent and treat painful oral ulcers caused by cancer therapies.

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Liana Nobre
Liana Nobre
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics

Liana is developing innovative assays that could change how pediatric brain cancer is detected.

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Anna Santos Salas
Anna Santos Salas
Professor
Faculty of Nursing

Anna is exploring the real-life experiences of people living with cancer to build support models that work.

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Andrew Simmonds
Andrew Simmonds
Professor
Department of Cell Biology

Andrew is using fruit flies to understand how cancer spreads.

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Alan Underhill
Alan Underhill
Professor
Department of Oncology

Alan studies chromatin dynamics in normal and cancer cells.

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Nawaid Usmani
Nawaid Usmani
Radiation Oncologist and Clinician-Scientist 
Department of Oncology

Nawaid is studying how to minimize side effects during prostate cancer treatment.

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Lisa Willis
Lisa Willis
Associate Professor 
Biological Sciences

Curiosity about glycobiology drives Lisa’s research

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Frank Wuest
Frank Wuest
Professor and Chair 
Department of Oncology

Frank is developing nuclear medicine innovations and technologies to improve cancer detection and treatment.

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