Prostate cancer research – Presenting at ASCO GU 2024, San Francisco

Jaspreet Kaur Gill (she/her) is a third-year BSc. Honours Health Sciences (minor in Medical Physiology, Health Research specialization) student. She highlights her experience presenting and travelling to the American Society of Clinical Oncology – Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, CA, one of the key prostate cancer events globally.

Jaspreet's co-op journey:

Work term one and two: For her past two work terms, Jaspreet worked as a research assistant at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. As the main investigator on several projects, her work primarily focused on improving treatment outcomes for prostate cancer patients. One of her projects was selected to present at the ASCO – GU Conference. Her abstract titled "Toxicity-benefit analysis of advanced prostate cancer trials using weighted toxicity scoring" was published to the "Journal of Clinical Oncology" website.

Q&A with Jaspreet

"The latter was presented at the ASCO – GU Conference and aims to improve the outcome of men with advanced prostate cancer by guiding oncologists to choose the best-suited or best-tolerated treatment options available.”

What’s something you looked forward to each day during your co-op term?

“I looked forward to the vast opportunity and experience that I was exposed to. From preparing two case reports for publication, leading two projects as main investigator and being a co-author on several other manuscripts through way of collaboration, the learning experience was endless and gratifying. Additionally, my principal investigator (PI) allowed me to shadow him during his clinic hours. I enjoyed being able to walk into the cancer center to interact with patients and understand the role that my work may have in bettering their quality of life. Moreover, I was able to make great connections with physicians and gain excellent guidance as I move forward with my career.”

How can someone in your program make their co-op/work application stand out?

“When I applied for my co-op position, I did not have any prior research experience. I brought a unique combination of volunteer work, writing and analytical skills. One of the highlights of my experience was my involvement in the CIBC Run for the Cure – Mississauga, where I volunteered as a committee member for four consecutive years. This was relevant and demonstrated my long-standing interest in improving outcomes for individuals affected by cancer.”

“I also volunteered at local pharmacies, which gave me valuable insight into the collaborative nature of healthcare and helped me develop strong communication skills as well as attention to detail. Additionally, in my first year, I was part of UW’s Relay For Life committee.”

“Currently, I serve as a senior editor for UW’s Journal of Undergraduate Health Research (JUHR), where I aim to foster student involvement in health research. For health research aspirants, the journal provides an excellent platform for students to publish coursework and research projects offering valuable publishing experience that can be noted in résumés and CVs.”

“One aspect I consistently brought up in interviews was my 10+ year competitive dance experience. This allowed me to showcase transferable skills like discipline, teamwork and the pursuit of shared goals—qualities that are highly relevant to co-op roles. I believe that my ability to demonstrate the versatility of my skillset helped me stand out among other applicants.”

“The biggest takeaway? Engage in activities you’re passionate about and find ways to relate them to the roles you seek. Whether it’s hobbies or experiences outside the healthcare field, transferable skills can often emerge in unexpected places. If you’ve developed a skillset in one area, chances are it will be useful in the next.”