Zahra Ameli, new recipient of the IRCUS Research Excellence Scholarship
Photo : provided
We are pleased to announce that Zahra Ameli has been awarded a prestigious $30,000 IRCUS research excellence scholarship to pursue her master's project at the Université de Sherbrooke Cancer Research Institute (IRCUS). With this scholarship, IRCUS reaffirms its commitment to nurturing exceptional students dedicated to the fight against cancer.
A Scholarship with Impact
Zahra was the sole recipient of the IRCUS research excellence scholarship in the fall 2024 competition, making this award even more precious to her. This recognition inspires her to contribute significantly to advancing cancer research.
Receiving the IRCUS research excellence scholarship is an important milestone for me. In addition to providing the financial support I need, it offers me the invaluable opportunity to work with leading experts and access state-of-the-art facilities.
Zahra Ameli, IRCUS scholarship recipient
Why Choose Cancer Research?
The main reason Zahra chose to focus her career on cancer research is deeply personal. Having lost her two grandfathers to lung cancer and several other relatives to the disease, she was inspired to make a difference. Fighting cancer through research has become her deep passion.
Cancer is a global health challenge that Zahra, armed with her biology training, dreamed of tackling. Being part of a research community striving to improve cancer treatments brings her great satisfaction.
From Iran to Sherbrooke to Fight Metastatic Cancers
Before joining IRCUS, Zahra completed her undergraduate studies in animal biology at one of Iran's top universities. Despite the challenges of being far from her family and adapting to a new country, Zahra was determined to pursue her master's in the laboratory of Taha Azad, Professor and Researcher at IRCUS, an experience she describes as invaluable and enriching.
Zahra's project focuses on using oncolytic viruses designed to specifically target and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. This innovative therapeutic strategy led to the approval of the first oncolytic virus against metastatic melanoma by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Through synthetic biology, Zahra aims to develop effective treatments for various cancers.
Congratulations, Zahra Ameli, on this well-deserved research excellence scholarship!