Toronto’s Most Inspiring Women of 2023- Dr. Rama Khokha

The scientist | Dr. Rama Khokha

Scientist Dr. Rama Khokha at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has devoted her research to molecular cancer prevention, and this year, Breast Cancer Canada has seen the power of innovation. The organization announced $3 million three-year funding for the cancer centre at the University Health Network for the 3P Precision Prevention Progress Project, led by Dr. Khokha. Her research focuses on identifying new risk factors and developing screening methods to detect cancer at an earlier stage, and will hopefully lead to future prevention strategies for cancer patients everywhere. 

By Dr. Brad Wouters – Executive VP Science & Research, UHN

As Senior Scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Rama Khokha has shown the passion that she has for advancing our fundamental understanding of cancer risk and prevention. Using state-of-the-art approaches, her research program is world-renowned for addressing cancer prevention from different aspects — from uncovering the molecules and cells that shape the development of cancer all the way to internationally-run clinical trials to examine new therapies to prevent the disease. This year, the cancer centre received $3 million in funding from Breast Cancer Canada for a molecular breast cancer prevention research project led by Rama thanks to her groundbreaking work in this field of research. Rama deserves to be recognized for the scientific contributions that she has made to the global fight against cancer. She is also committed to inspiring the next generation of researchers — ensuring that Canada’s research talent remains among the best in the world. Dozens of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers have travelled from across North America, Europe, and Asia to train under her illustrious program, and she has helped launched the careers of clinician-scientists, health and science professionals, policy advisors, and founders of multimillion dollar biotechnology startup companies. Rama’s legacy is marked by integrity, quality, and above all a commitment to improving the health of people in Canada and beyond.

For more of Toronto’s most inspiring women of 2023, click here.