Welcoming our newest Principal Investigator – Katie Houlahan

We are delighted to announce the arrival of Dr. Katie Houlahan as the newest Principal Investigator at the Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research (CDCR). Dr. Houlahan brings a wealth of experience in bioinformatics and a strong dedication to advancing cancer research.

Dr. Houlahan’s research will center on utilizing advanced statistical methods to analyze extensive sets of cancer genetics data. The aim is to comprehend how inherited genetic variations impact the development and progression of cancer. By examining these connections, the research aims to uncover the reasons behind the significant variability of tumors between individuals and predict how cancers might evolve. The lab will investigate both internal factors within tumors, such as gene activity and chemical changes, as well as external factors like the body’s immune response. This comprehensive approach is expected to lead to the identification of new germline biomarkers that can be detected through blood tests, thus paving the way for improved cancer screening and early detection.

It’s worth mentioning that Dr. Houlahan is returning to McMaster, where she completed her undergraduate studies in Chemical Biology. She pursued her Ph.D. in Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford.

We ask you to join us in welcoming Dr. Houlahan to the CDCR!