The CRC Interfaculty Scholarship, awarded annually as part of the CRC scholarship competition, aims to recognize and support interdisciplinary research within the CRC. Recipients must be under the direct supervision (directorship and co-supervision) of two regular researcher members of the CRC from two different faculties. This scholarship is made possible by the Cancer Research Fund of the Laval University Foundation, as well as the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Laval University.
This year, the CRC is pleased to award this scholarship to Mohammed Obaid, a master’s student in physics co-supervised by Professor Louis Archambault and Dr. Jean-Mathieu Beauregard. Discover his inspiring journey.
Mohammed is currently enrolled in the Medical Physics program at Université Laval, under the guidance of Prof. Louis Archambault and Dr Jean-Mathieu Beauregard. His passion for using physics to understand biological systems led him to pursue a bachelor's degree in biophysics from the University of British Columbia. There, he discovered the field of medical physics, specifically nuclear medicine, which focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases, primarily cancer, with radiolabeled molecules. Radiopharmaceutical therapies (RPTs) offer a more targeted approach to cancer treatment compared to traditional external beam radiotherapy. However, RPTs still pose the risk of radiation damage to healthy tissues. Medical physicists play a crucial role in protecting these "organs at risk," such as the kidneys and bone marrow, by quantifying the radiation dose received during RPT administration. Dosimetry, the measurement of radiation damage, is essential for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of RPTs.
Researchers are working towards personalized RPT prescriptions and integrating diagnostics and therapy into a hybrid approach known as "theranostics." This approach aims to cure cancer while minimizing damage to critical organs. Prof. Archambault and Dr Beauregard are leading the way in this field, with their expertise in quantitative medical imaging and nuclear medicine, respectively.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Mohammed is an avid rugby player and coach. His experience in team sports has provided valuable insights into the complexities of building an effective team, highlighting the surprising similarities between science and sports.