York Region student earns grant to study cancer

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A PhD at 27?

It is not out of the question for Katie Di Sebastiano.

Ms Di Sebastiano, a University of Waterloo PhD student, who grew up in Newmarket and Aurora, is turning heads in the medical research world with her prostate cancer project.

She was one of five students from across Canada who received a $40,000 graduate student award from Prostate Cancer Canada.

Her research focuses on body changes that occur during prostate cancer treatment that can include weight gain and muscle loss.

The award will allow her to focus on her work, she said, offering thanks to Prostate Cancer Canada and Constantine Karayannopoulos.

Similar to many people, cancer touched Ms Di Sebastianos life when her mother was diagnosed while Ms Di Sebastiano was an undergraduate kinesiology student at McMaster University.

Her mother is now a breast cancer survivor, Ms Di Sebastiano said.

The Cardinal Carter Catholic High School alumnus thought she would pursue a career in physiotherapy, but realized she really loved the research aspect of her studies, which led her to pursue a graduate degree.

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York Region student earns grant to study cancer