A local University student is taking her passion for cancer research to a new level, thanks to the opportunity of a lifetime. Anna Kovalchuck is a master’s student at the University of Lethbridge and is receiving provincial recognition for her work towards finding a cure. She may walk the halls like every other student, but she is far from ordinary. In fact what she’s done in her masters study is quite exceptional. Her main efforts have been examining the effects that chemotherapy drugs have on the brain, says Kovalchuk.
“If we look at it in the basis of what genes are turned on or off we can then see what kind of coloration that has to the symptoms people are having.”
For her efforts Kovalchuk has received a prestigious award (2014 Dr. Cyril M. Kay Graduate Studentship) from the Alberta Cancer Foundation. An impressive honour, to go along with over $28,000 dollars in support of her research.
“I’m really thankful that the Alberta cancer foundation gave it to me.”
But Kovalchuk didn’t just stumble upon the Neuroscience Program. She’s been around it her entire life, her parents are biology professor’s. Although they’ve never pushed her to follow in their footsteps, that’s exactly what she did. In grade ten during a science project Anna Kovalchuck found the passion for science and medicine. Something her mom Olga noticed right away “So she worked there a little bit in the summer and that’s how it all started, she said.
She’s not even finished her schooling and she’s already making great strides in the medical world, but above all else Kovalchuk wants to help people.
“Of course with cancer there’s still no sure fire way to cure it and maybe one day there will be and I’m hoping to continue contributing to that.”
Kovalchuk plans to finish her schooling at either University of Alberta, or the University of Calgary.
Comments