2024 Young SIOP Investigators Award winners

The Award is part of a broader effort by SIOP to promote professional development and networking opportunities among young professionals in paediatric oncology.

The Young SIOP Investigators Award aims to provide young investigators with the opportunity to present their original research at the SIOP Annual Meeting.

The award is designed for young professionals working in paediatric oncology who are early in their careers. Successful candidates receive free registration for the congress, a two-year membership in Young SIOP, and financial support for travel and accommodation costs up to EUR 1500.

The award provides recognition to young researchers, encouraging them to continue their work in paediatric oncology and fostering collaboration within the field.

SIOP 2024 Recipients for Young SIOP Investigators Award

John Isiiko | Uganda

John Isiiko is a Hematology/Oncology Pharmacist and Researcher at the Department of Pharmacy inn Uganda Cancer Institute. He holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy and a fellowship in Oncology Pharmacy (UK). His research focuses on optimizing cancer treatment outcomes in low-resource settings, concentrating on Pediatric Tumors.

His projects entail pharmacoeconomic modeling aiming to minimize treatment costs while optimizing therapeutic results. The Pharmacoeconomic study focussing on dose redistribution as an innovation for minimizing the cost of treatment of childhood cancers was awarded the Young SIOP Investigator Award in 2024

Maria Chiu | Canada

Maria Chiu is a scientist with the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO), where her research focuses on childhood cancer epidemiology and health equity. She holds a Master of Science degree in epidemiology and a PhD in health services and outcomes research from the University of Toronto. Maria leads POGO’s Health Analytics Program and serves as an Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto.

Edward James Raack -Jimmy | Canada

Edward James Raack -Jimmy is a PhD candidate in the Medical Genetics program at the University of British Columbia and is associated with the Canadian Pharmacogenomics Network for Drug Safety (CPNDS). His current investigation focuses on genomic risk factors, particularly in identifying pediatric patients predisposed to developing pancreatitis due to l-asparaginase treatment.

He has worked in research and development positions at biotechnology companies that specialize in molecular diagnostics and microbiome drug discovery. Edward James Raack -Jimmy  holds a BSc in Human Biology from the University of California, San Diego and an MSc in Clinical Molecular Genetics from Northern Michigan University.

Ruzanna Papyan | Armenia

Ruzanna Papyan is a pediatric oncologist at the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia within the Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center. She serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University.

Additionally, she is a Clinical Research Physician at the Immune Oncology Research Institute and co-chairs the Global Health Network Adolescents and Young Adults Working Group of the SIOP. Ruzanna Papyan coordinates educational sessions for the Global Neuroblastoma Network (GNN), an international platform focused on multidisciplinary neuroblastoma tumor board discussions for countries with limited resources.

Stephanie Grover | Canada

Stephanie Grover is the Director of ACCESS (Advancing Childhood Cancer Experience, Science and Survivorship) and serves as the National Program Manager, being part of the leadership team for the PRecision Oncology For Young peopLE (PROFYLE) program. She holds a degree in Genetics and Biochemistry, along with a graduate degree specializing in Developmental Biology from the University of Western Ontario. Stephanie Grover is also a Clinical Research Professional certified by the Society of Clinical Research Associates and a Project Management Professional certified by the Project Management Institute.

Michael Edwards | United States

Michael Edwards is a Clinical Oncology Research Coordinator at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado. He holds a PHO fellowship and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology. He leads the Cancer Predisposition Clinic and works in the HOPE Cancer Survivorship Clinic. Additionally, Michael Edwards serves as the Associate Program Director for the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship with the University of Colorado. His research interests include global health and survivorship, and he is currently working to integrate cancer predisposition into his research.

Daniel Münter | Germany

Daniel Münter is a fifth-year medical student and a student of experimental medicine at the University of Münster in Germany. Currently, he is working on his doctoral thesis at the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the University Children’s Hospital Münster. His research interests lie at the intersection of biomedicine and data science, as he strives to combine biological experiments with comprehensive multiomic data analyses, leveraging advancements in computational methods. Daniel Münter is particularly inspired by the potential of these advances to unlock new discoveries and pave the way for the development of individualized treatments for pediatric patients.

Mounira Ibrahim | Canada

Mounira Ibrahim is a Clinical Oncology Research Coordinator at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Genetics from McGill University and a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Ain Shams University in Egypt. Dr. Mounira Ibrahim has volunteered as a clinical research assistant at the National Cancer Institute and the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt. Her current research focuses on the implementation of an Adverse Drug Reaction Prevention Program through Pharmacogenetic testing (GO-PGx).

Nirmalya Roy Moulik | India

Nirmalya Roy Moulik is a paediatric oncologist at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, India. He has made significant contributions to cancer research and treatment, particularly in the area of childhood cancers. His expertise includes managing conditions such as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).

He has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in paediatric oncology over the past 15 years. His clinical research focuses on improving treatment outcomes for children with cancer, and he has been involved in various initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care

Katianne Howard Sharp | USA

Katianne Howard Sharp, PhD, is an Instructor in the Department of Psychology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States. She completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a focus on children and families at The University of Memphis. Dr. Sharp completed her clinical internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Consortium and pursued a research fellowship in pediatric psychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Since joining the Department of Psychology at St. Jude in 2018 as a Clinician-Scientist, her research and clinical interests have centered on children’s genetic predisposition to cancer. Dr. Sharp’s work focuses on parent and child adjustment and communication regarding cancer predisposition disclosed during childhood, aiming to improve psychological outcomes for families navigating these challenges.

Jaesung Choi | United States

Jaesung Choi is an Associate Professor of Economics at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in South Korea, where he also serves as the Chair of the Department of Global Economics. He has been with the university since September 2013, first as an Assistant Professor and then promoted to Associate Professor in September 2019.

Choi earned his PhD in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2013, following a Master’s degree from the same institution. He completed his undergraduate studies in Economics at Yonsei University in 2007. His research interests encompass labor economics, the economics of education, program evaluation, demography, and public health

Yu Zhang | China

Yu Zhang is an Associate Professor and Physician at the Department of Pediatric Oncology at Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), holding a Ph.D. in Oncology from the University of Hong Kong. She has served as a Visiting Scientist at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States.

Dr. Yu Zhang has received notable accolades, including the Young Oncologist Award from the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology and the Young Scientist Nomination Award from the Hong Kong Institute of Science. Her current research focuses on immunotherapy and the tumor microenvironment in pediatric cancers, including melanoma.

Rand Ajaj | Egypt

Rand Ajaj is a Research Analyst at SickKids. Previously, she was a Teaching Assistant (ANA300Y: Human Anatomy and Histology) at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Rand Ajaj supports studies within the ROCCA program. Her research is focused on assessing the long-term outcomes of adolescents and young adults with cancer. Rand holds a Master of Science in Medical Science from the University of Toronto.

Mennatallah Aman | Egypt

Mennatallah Aman is a Medical writing associate at the DataClin Group. Previously, she was a Pharmacy Resident at Children’s Cancer Hospital Foundation. She completed her education at The German University in Cairo, where she acquired a solid foundation in her field. Mennatallah’s background in pharmacy and her current role in medical writing reflect her commitment to improving healthcare communication and supporting advancements in cancer treatment.

Rachit Khandelwal| India

Rachit Khandelwal is a Pediatrics BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) fellow, specializing in the treatment and care of pediatric patients undergoing bone marrow transplants. As a fellow, Rachit is likely engaged in both clinical practice and research, working closely with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care for young patients.

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