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Top science undergrad tackles new treatments for prostate cancer
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Contact:
Diane Luckow, Media & PR 604.291.3210; diane_luckow@sfu.ca
Diane Luckow, Media & PR 604.291.3210; diane_luckow@sfu.ca
May 31, 2004
Jessica Kennedy, recipient of SFU’s undergraduate dean’s medal in science, is currently on scholarship with the B.C. Cancer Research Centre in Vancouver, working on experimental treatments for prostate cancer.
Kennedy, who majored in molecular biology and biochemistry (MBB), has earned scholarships since the beginning of her university career. Following graduation from Chilliwack secondary school, Kennedy entered SFU buoyed by a Gordon Shrum scholarship, and then won a National Research Council Women in Engineering and Science scholarship, one of an elite group of only 25 women across Canada to receive the annual award.
Recipients of the $33,000 scholarship spend three summers at any of the NRC’s numerous laboratories. Kennedy spent the first two summers working on a novel approach to vaccine design, research that also has practical applications for cancer treatment.
In her third summer with the council, Kennedy worked in Alzheimer research. She focused on stimulating stem cells – embryonic cells that are genetic blank slates – to grow into neurons. It is hoped that this research will lead to the development of neurons that can be transplanted into patients with brain damage, such as Alzheimer sufferers.
Kennedy’s undergraduate career was not all beakers, pipettes and microscopes. An archeology minor allowed her to explore other worlds, from pre-colonial Latin American history to the grisly world of crime through forensic anthropology.
Kennedy is waiting to learn whether she is accepted into medical school at either UBC or the University of Toronto. Her extensive research background, from vaccine development to Alzheimer and cancer research, means there are many different specialties she could pursue.
While Kennedy’s meteoric scholarly trajectory will take her far beyond SFU, she will always be grateful for the opportunities and confidence the university helped instill.
"SFU has been incredible," says Kennedy. "The university really makes students feel like they are part of the experience, making sure you’re invited to banquets, making sure you feel special. You never feel like you’re just a number."
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Kennedy, who majored in molecular biology and biochemistry (MBB), has earned scholarships since the beginning of her university career. Following graduation from Chilliwack secondary school, Kennedy entered SFU buoyed by a Gordon Shrum scholarship, and then won a National Research Council Women in Engineering and Science scholarship, one of an elite group of only 25 women across Canada to receive the annual award.
Recipients of the $33,000 scholarship spend three summers at any of the NRC’s numerous laboratories. Kennedy spent the first two summers working on a novel approach to vaccine design, research that also has practical applications for cancer treatment.
In her third summer with the council, Kennedy worked in Alzheimer research. She focused on stimulating stem cells – embryonic cells that are genetic blank slates – to grow into neurons. It is hoped that this research will lead to the development of neurons that can be transplanted into patients with brain damage, such as Alzheimer sufferers.
Kennedy’s undergraduate career was not all beakers, pipettes and microscopes. An archeology minor allowed her to explore other worlds, from pre-colonial Latin American history to the grisly world of crime through forensic anthropology.
Kennedy is waiting to learn whether she is accepted into medical school at either UBC or the University of Toronto. Her extensive research background, from vaccine development to Alzheimer and cancer research, means there are many different specialties she could pursue.
While Kennedy’s meteoric scholarly trajectory will take her far beyond SFU, she will always be grateful for the opportunities and confidence the university helped instill.
"SFU has been incredible," says Kennedy. "The university really makes students feel like they are part of the experience, making sure you’re invited to banquets, making sure you feel special. You never feel like you’re just a number."
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