Humans of LMP: Rifat Sajid
Each month we speak to a member of the Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology community and find out more about them as part of an initiative from our Wellness, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee (WIDE).
This month, we speak to PhD candidate Rifat Sajid who is based in the Diamandis Lab at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
What are you studying at LMP and why are you interested in studying it?
I am a PhD student working under the supervision of Dr. Phedias Diamandis at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. I study a type of brain tumour called glioblastoma (GBM), which is the most common and aggressive form of adult brain cancer.
Despite extensive treatment, patients with GBM unfortunately have a median survival of just 15-18 months. Although numerous drugs have reached clinical trials, they unfortunately have not provided significant benefit in improving overall patient prognosis. As the standard of care for GBM treatment has remained largely unchanged for almost two decades, I am interested in discovering new treatments for this devastating disease.
Tell us about your research
A significant challenge to GBM treatment is the ability of tumour cells to diffusely infiltrate into surrounding vital brain tissue, making complete surgical removal impossible. These remaining tumour cells eventually repopulate the tumour following treatment, leading to tumour recurrence.
My research seeks to better understand the molecular machinery of GBM infiltration by using a technology called mass spectrometry to profile proteins created by tumour cells during this process. I aim to uncover the signaling pathways underlying GBM invasion to identify actionable targets to impede tumour infiltration.
For this work, I am very fortunate to be a recipient of the 2024 Doctoral Research Award from the Cancer Research Society in partnership with the Brain Canada Foundation.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve done, seen or got involved with while at LMP?
LMP organizes an annual art competition showcasing beautiful images generated by members of the department. For the 2023 competition, I submitted an immunofluorescence image of a brain organoid tissue section stained with colours reminiscent of everyone’s favourite dinosaur, Barney.
Visit LMP’s website to see all of the nice images from different years of the competition and even consider submitting your own image for the next competition!
What was the best career advice you ever received?
The best career advice I have received was to create your own career opportunities by putting yourself out there and actively engaging with others. Whether it’s attending networking events and career workshops, chatting with people at conferences, or reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn, these can all help you explore potential career paths. While it can feel daunting to think about the next steps after graduate school (trust me, I can definitely relate), doing this is crucial to discovering what excites you and builds the connections that can help you secure a position in the future.
What has been an important learning experience in your life?
One of the most important learning experiences in my life has been embracing failure as a necessary part of growth, a lesson I’ve come to deeply appreciate during graduate school. This journey has taught me resilience by showing me how to navigate setbacks, learn from mistakes, and persevere in the face of challenges.
Who is an influential person in your life and why?
The two most influential people in my life are my parents. They immigrated to Canada when I was very young so my dad could pursue a PhD at the University of Alberta. They made countless sacrifices by leaving behind their family and friends to come to an unfamiliar country to provide me with a better life. Their unwavering support and encouragement, especially throughout my PhD journey, have been a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me to achieve my goals. Mom and Dad, I love you both very much and everything I do is to make you proud!
What would it surprise people to know about you?
My family moved around quite a bit while I was growing up, so I have lived in five cities across three different countries. Each place brought its own challenges and learning opportunities, and I am grateful for these experiences as they have shaped me into the person I am today.
What activities do you enjoy doing outside of your studies?
Outside of work, I enjoy being involved with student life at the University of Toronto. I have worked as a Residence Don/Advisor for both New College and Graduate House Residences. Through this role, I have been able to support both undergraduate and graduate students living on campus.
What is your favourite album, film, and novel?
Album: Starboy by The Weeknd – no skips on the entire album from start to finish.
Film: Inception by Christopher Nolan – I have lost count of how many times I have seen this film, maybe 8 or 9 times?
Novel: “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi – a tragically beautiful memoir that I would recommend everyone read!
Who would be your dream dinner guests?
I would love to have a conversation with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Imam Dr. Omar Suleiman about their work advocating for health care as a human right, science communication, and civil rights activism, respectively.
Where/what is your favourite place?
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Maui, Hawaii with a close group of friends. The island is a real paradise on Earth that included marvelous scenery, weather, and food. Highlights from the trip were the beaches, snorkeling, and watching the sunrise on top of a volcano. I was devastated to see the destruction of various parts of the island caused by wildfires in 2023, and hope that it can be rebuilt.
If you were stuck on a deserted island but had all your basic needs taken care of (i.e. food and water), what two items would you bring with you and why?
Two items that I would bring with me are sunscreen and a surfboard. I’ve never surfed before, but since I’m stuck on an island indefinitely, I’ll have all the time in the world to learn!
