Allison Boyd

Peterborough, Ontario
M.Sc. in Environmental & Life Sciences
President’s Medal Winner

“Two of my greatest passions in life are science and travel. I was able to pursue both during my time at Trent through participation in a field course overseas and through my research,” says Environmental & Life Science M.Sc. graduate and President’s Medal winner Allison Boyd.

As a recipient of a prestigious fellowship from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Allison embarked on a leading-edge study examining the effects of mother-offspring interactions on breast cancer risk during her time at Trent.

In addition to receiving the fellowship, Allison also became an ambassador for the foundation, presenting her research at fundraising events, attending celebratory gatherings and participating in the Run for the Cure. “It meant a lot to be involved with individuals who would directly benefit from breast cancer research,” she says.

Allison’s interest in studying cancer started with her curiosity to learn more about the biology of the disease. After completing her undergraduate degree at Laurier, she was thrilled to learn that breast cancer research was being done in her hometown of Peterborough and jumped at the chance to get involved with Trent Biology and Psychology professor Dr. Leslie Kerr.

Under the direction of Dr. Kerr, Allison’s interest in studying cancer grew from mere curiosity to an innovative research project using a model that had previously been established in Dr. Kerr's lab to examine the impacts of early life stress on mammary gland development and cancer risk.

“I was attracted to this project because I am interested in the parallels between normal developmental biology and cancer,” Allison says, adding, “My studies have also gained new meaning, as multiple people in my life have recently been affected by this disease.”

Already enrolled as a Ph.D. candidate at McMaster University, Allison will continue her cancer research with a prestigious grant from NSERC. Her new focus is on leukemia and the stem cell theory of cancer.

In speaking of her Trent experience, Allison says, “My experience at Trent helped me to shape my philosophy of science, and to develop confidence in myself as a scientist.”