
Current Students
We are proud to work with a dedicated group of students who play an integral role in the research activities of the McGill Breast Outcomes Research Group. Our current trainees come from a variety of academic levels and disciplines, including undergraduate, graduate, and medical programs. Their commitment, curiosity, and drive contribute meaningfully to our mission of improving breast cancer outcomes through evidence-based research.
Our students are currently involved in a wide range of projects, including:
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Retrospective and prospective data analysis
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Research ethics and protocol development
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Clinical outcomes research in surgical oncology
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Scientific writing and literature reviews
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Abstract submissions and conference presentations
Several of our students are completing their Master’s or PhD degrees under the supervision of our principal investigators, while others are gaining valuable research experience in preparation for medical school, residency, or graduate studies.
We provide regular mentorship meetings, research seminars, and opportunities to co-author scientific publications as part of our commitment to trainee development. Students are also encouraged to present their work at local, national, and international conferences.
Our current trainees reflect the energy and excellence of the next generation of researchers—and we are excited to support their academic and professional growth.
To learn more about our current trainees and the projects they are working on, please see the profiles below.
Surgical Residents
Hamda Almarzooqi
Project: Factors Associated with Uptake and Adherence to Endocrine Prevention Therapy in Patients with Atypical Hyperplasia and Lobular Carcinoma in Situ
Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Wong
Marya Alsuhaibani
Project: Trends in The Uptake of Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy in BRCA1/2, PALB2 and Other Pathogenic Variant Carriers Undergoing Risk Reducing Mastectomy
Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Wong
Neyla Boukhili
Project: Clinical Factors Associated with Occult Nodal Metastases in cT1cN0 Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Principal Investigator: Ipshita Prakash
Sara Benali
Project: High-risk lesions in women with germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2, PALB2 and other breast cancer susceptibility genes undergoing risk-reducing mastectomy
Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Wong
Victoria Hayman
Project: TBA
Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Wong
Mohammad Abbas
Project: Patterns of Care in Older Women with Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Principal Investigator: Ipshita Prakash
Medical Students
- Amel Melanson
- Evan Puligandla
- Jena Bertagnolli
- Megan Roy Pickard
- Nicholas Zakem
- Renata Sabelli
- Sarah Marshal
- Vanessa Ross
Amel Melanson
Project: Uptake of Risk Reducing Mastectomy in Older BRCA1/2 and PALB2 Carriers Undergoing Genetic Testing after 60 years of Age
Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Wong
Evan Puligandla
Project: TBA
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarkis Meterissian
Jena Bertagnolli
Project: TBA
Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Wong
Megan Roy Pickard
Project: Axillary Management in Breast Cancer Patients with Positive Sentinel Lymph Nodes Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarkis Meterissian
Nicholas Zakem
Project: Management of Radial Scar and Complex Sclerosing Lesions of the Breast: To Excise or Not to Excise? A Retrospective Study
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarkis Meterissian
Renata Sabelli
Project: Patient and Social Workers Perspectives on Financial Toxicity Associated with Breast Cancer Treatment: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Embedded Mixed Methods Study (The PSWiFT-Breast Study)
Principal Investigator: Ipshita Prakash
Sarah Marshal
Project: Effect of Time to Treatment on Breast Cancer–Specific Survival in Triple- Negative Breast Cancer: A Canadian Cohort Study
Principal Investigator: Ipshita Prakash
Vanessa Ross
Project: Axillary Management in Breast Cancer Patients with Positive Sentinel Lymph Nodes Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarkis Meterissian
MSc Students
Natasha Stonebanks-Cuillerier
Project: Factors Associated with Uptake and Adherence to Endocrine Prevention in Women at Elevated Breast Cancer Risk
Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Wong
Pamela Brazeau-Porrello
Project: Rates of Pathologic Complete Response in Patients with Stage I Triple Negative Breast Cancer Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ipshita Prakash
PhD Students
Miranda Bassel
Project: Patients with Positive Axillary Nodes Undergoing Upfront Surgery: Can Axillary Dissection Be Safely Omitted?
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarkis Meterissian