Results of the Emerging Scholar Research Grant Competition – Pillar 3 & 4 Research

We are proud to support 3 early career investigators, through 3 new grants, advancing health services and population health cancer research. 

Funding results of the Emerging Scholar Research Grant Competition – Pillar 3 & Pillar 4 

Note: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the grant recipient list, this list does not include an “official” notification. Successful applications have been informed, in writing, with an official Notification of Award giving the details pertaining to their grant. 

Improving cancer screening for people who have previously had cancer

Dylan O'Sullivan | University of Calgary

People who have previously had cancer are at increased risk of developing new cancers. Current cancer screening guidelines do not consider the unique risks this population faces. Dr Dylan O’Sullivan is studying how well people with a history of cancer follow screening advice, what barriers stand in their way and who might benefit from enhanced screening. His goal: to develop evidence-based, personalized screening recommendations that improve survival and outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer. 

Improving access to high-quality lung cancer prevention and early detection

Ambreen Sayani | Women’s College Hospital

Lung cancer screening and smoking cessation treatment work best when they are systematically delivered together, yet they are usually offered separately. Dr Ambreen Sayani is working with people with lived and living experience to design and test a new care model that integrates both. If successful, the new model could help prevent lung cancer by enabling earlier diagnosis, curative treatment and ultimately better outcomes. 

Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil

Stopping the spread of cancer disinformation

Marco Zenone | University of Ottawa

False or misleading cancer information online can cause real physical, mental and financial harm, especially for people seeking guidance during challenging moments. Dr Marco Zenone will work with clinicians and people affected by cancer to identify, track, analyze and confront disinformation actors who promote unproven cancer treatments to Canadians. The goal: to reduce harm and safeguard trust in evidence-based cancer care. 



 People affected by cancer bring perspectives that researchers simply can’t gain from data alone. I look forward to working with patient partners to better understand how cancer disinformation affects people’s lives and to develop ways of creating safer information environments. 

— Marco Zenone, Stopping the spread of cancer disinformation
University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON