When undergraduate student Anita Perazzo enrolled in a cancer biology course at UBC Okanagan, she had no idea she would soon contribute to cutting-edge cancer research—or that it would introduce her to a world where physics and biology intersect to shape the future of personalized medicine.
Perazzo, an honours biology student, is part of a research cluster led by Dr. Christina Haston, a professor of medical physics. The team aims to understand how genetic factors can help predict an individual’s response to radiation therapy. This breakthrough could one day make cancer treatment more personalized and more effective for patients.
For Perazzo, the journey into research has been both unexpected and transformative.
“The college I transferred from didn’t offer the same level of involvement and research opportunities,” she explains. “When I arrived at UBC Okanagan, I wasn’t sure how to approach professors or get involved, even though I knew I wanted to do research of some kind.”
That changed when Dr. Haston took notice of her work in class.
“At the end of the course, she approached me and asked if I was interested in doing an honours thesis,” says Perazzo. “It was unexpected, especially because she’s a physics professor. But I’ll always be thankful for that moment. It shows that if you put in the effort, professors notice.”
“I’m able to build relationships with my professors here in a way that I might not have been able to at a larger university campus.”
Tailoring cancer treatments to improve outcomes
For years, radiation therapy in cancer treatment has been delivered in standardized doses, meaning that most patients with the same type of cancer receive the same treatment. However, not everyone responds the same way—some experience severe side effects, while others could potentially tolerate higher doses that more effectively target tumours.
Dr. Haston’s research aims to change that.
“Personalized radiation oncology means giving an amount of radiation suitable for each patient based on their genetics,” she explains.
Dr. Haston’s research cluster, composed of researchers in data science, biochemistry, economics, pathology, and health sciences, explores genetic markers in blood samples.
By studying blood samples, the team identifies genetic clues that predict how a patient will respond to radiation. The goal is customized treatment plans that reduce side effects and improve outcomes
“If we know someone is part of the five per cent of patients who will experience severe side effects, we can adjust their treatment accordingly. And if someone is in the majority and can tolerate radiation well, we can potentially increase their dose and improve outcomes,” says Dr. Haston.
For Perazzo, this work represents the kind of real-world impact she hopes to make in her career. In the lab, she uses computational tools to analyze blood composition, which is more complex than people realize.
“When we think about blood, we might think of red blood cells. But there’s more happening in regards to the cells present,” she explains. “I’m looking at whether there’s a correlation between someone’s blood composition and their genetics; specifically, if we can use that information to predict how they’ll respond to radiation therapy.”
Close-knit campus leads to big research opportunities for students
Now immersed in her research, Perazzo says that UBC Okanagan’s size and structure have significantly shaped her experience.
“I’m able to build relationships with my professors here in a way that I might not have been able to at a larger university campus.”
Dr. Haston echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that UBC Okanagan’s tight-knit academic community fosters collaboration in ways that larger institutions often don’t.
“You learn people’s names here, and those people will help you get through,” she says. “You can build a sense of community at UBC Okanagan, which I think is an impressive learning opportunity.”
That community extends to the interdisciplinary nature of the university’s research environment.
“We have leaders in certain areas, and because of that, collaboration happens more naturally,” Dr. Haston says.
“I’m working with physicists, biologists, chemists, statisticians, and even economists for this research. We’re all bringing different perspectives to the table, which makes it exciting.”
For Perazzo, the experience has opened up new possibilities for her future. Although she hasn’t ruled out medical school, she now sees research as a path she wants to continue exploring.
“I always thought I knew what research was, but I’ve learned that there’s so much more to it,” she says. “This research is shaping my future. The more I learn, the more I want to discover.
“That’s how I know I’m in the right place.”
