Leaders in Cancer Research

Queen’s complement of discovery-based researchers, clinician scientists, nursing, and rehabilitation faculty are driving bench-to-bedside and community-based innovations that are improving patient care and outcomes. With partners such as Kingston Health Sciences Centre, we are advancing understanding of cancer drivers and the design and conduct of clinical trials in cancer therapy and supportive care. These developments are improving cancer outcomes nationally and internationally.

Research to improve cancer outcomes

The Cara & Murray Sinclair Cancer Research Institute (SCRI) brings together experts from three key disciplines — cancer biology and genetics, clinical trials, and cancer care and epidemiology — to share knowledge, advance treatments, and evaluate patient impact.

Sinclair Cancer Research Institute

Finding treatments for longer, better lives

The Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) designs and conducts clinical trials in cancer therapy, supportive care, and prevention interventions. The network includes more than 85 member institutions and has facilitated more than 600 trials since its foundation.

Canadian Cancer Trials Group

Transforming cancer clinical trials and drug delivery

Professor Emerita Elizabeth Eisenhauer received the Canada Gairdner Wightman award for her leadership in medicine and medical science. Her research has established new standards for the clinical evaluation of new anti-cancer agents and clinical trials development. Her insight has been key to the creation of new treatments for ovarian cancer, malignant melanoma, and brain tumours.

"Very often we think of science and research as happening in laboratories with test tubes and fancy technology, but important translational work has to happen in the clinic, at the bedside, to turn discoveries into meaningful impact for patients."

Elizabeth Eisenhauer
In an interview with the Vice-Principal Research portfolio

Exercise is key for surviving cancer

Medical oncologist Christopher Booth co-led a global cancer clinical trial proving structured exercise reduces recurrence and mortality in colon cancer, reshaping survivorship standards and evidence-based medical oncology practice worldwide.

Landmark clinical trial shows exercise improves colon cancer survival

Cell therapy is changing cancer treatment

Medical oncology investigator Annette Hay leads national cancer clinical trials in CAR T-cell therapy, expanding access to living drugs and building collaborative infrastructure for next-generation cancer treatment innovation.

Fighting cancer with living drugs

Advancing medical imaging and tumour mapping

Neurosurgeon-scientists James and Teresa Purzner integrate precision biopsy design with medical imaging. The innovative method provides new insights into tumour biology and may lay the foundation for future therapies such as focused radiation treatments to target high-risk areas of tumours, smarter surgical decision-making, and innovative drug development.

3D-printed capsule gives researchers a clearer look at glioblastoma

Visualizing immunotherapy in real time

Canada Excellence Research Chair Paul Kubes advances medical imaging in medical oncology, visualizing immune responses inside tumours in real time to strengthen immunotherapy and inform next-generation cancer clinical trials.

How the body works – an inside perspective

The robots that could help us fight cancer

Engineer Xian Wang is pioneering magnet-guided microrobots guided by advanced medical imaging, aiming to revolutionize medical oncology through targeted treatment for glioblastoma — the most aggressive form of brain cancer.

Engineering microrobots for precision brain cancer treatment

Care for all

Experiencing a cancer journey is profoundly challenging, especially for those living with severe mental illness.
Queen's experts are working to ensure no one is left behind.

Dr. Oyedeji Ayonrinde, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry l Don't leave me behind: Navigating cancer and psychosis

Building on Terry Fox’s dream

Queen’s is a proud member of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, an initiative that aims to join efforts from researchers and clinicians across Canada to accelerate the implementation of precision medicine for cancer.

Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network

[head of statue of Terry Fox]

Featured researchers

Paul Kubes

combines physiology and immunology to decipher the complex immune pathways involved in cancer and chronic disease.

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Immunophysiology and Immunotherapy

Gabor Fichtinger

is developing the potential for computers to aid in the detection and treatment of cancer.

Canada Research Chair in Computer-Integrated Surgery

Parvin Mousavi

is redefining the field of medical informatics to support AI-driven healthcare innovations.

Canada Research Chair in Medical Informatics

Anna Panchenko

Anna Panchenko is identifying genetic and epigenetic drivers of cancer, the basis of mutagenesis and DNA repair, and their contribution to cancer etiology.

Canada Research Chair in Computational Biology and Biophysics

Lynne-Marie Postovit

is unravelling the mechanism by which cancer cells acquire and sustain plasticity, to translate these discoveries into new therapies.

Canada Research Chair in Translational Cancer Research

Stephen Archer

is studying mitochondrial disorders and how they control vital cell functions in hypertension, heart attacks, and lung cancer.

Former CRC in Mitochondrial Dynamics and Translational Medicine

Research