Trent University graduate student Andressa Lacerda had no idea that her expertise on the confocal microscope would lead to an entrepreneurial venture in the field of cancer research and a partnership with local science wunderkind Adam Noble.
A native of Brazil, Ms. Lacerda first came to Trent as an undergraduate student in 2008. “I chose Trent because it was a small university that welcomed international students, and a place where I thought I could make a difference,” said Ms. Lacerda. “At a larger university I would have been just another face, but at Trent I’ve had close proximity to professors who have provided support and encouragement, and I’ve been given opportunities that I wouldn’t have had elsewhere.”
After graduating in 2011 with a B.Sc. in Biology, and a specialization in Health Sciences, Ms. Lacerda began work on her M.Sc. at Trent. Her research is shedding light on why mutations of LITAF protein cause the genetic Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Because of the advanced level of her research, she was recently converted to the Ph.D. Environmental and Life Sciences program.
Two years ago, she was introduced to Mr. Noble, a Lakefield high school student. “Adam was looking at the effects of nanosilver on aquatic life and how Euglena could remove the nano-particles from our water,” explained Ms. Lacerda. “I was asked to show him how to use a confocal microscope, so he could examine how nanosilver was entering into trout and frog embryos. I suggested that I could teach him how to take his research to the cellular level.”
Mr. Noble determined that nanosilver could be extracted from wastewater, using Euglena, and developed a prototype filtration system for municipal use. Then, with Ms. Lacerda as his mentor, he discovered that different concentrations of nanosilver had different effects on the organisms, some bad and some good. “Adam thought that nanosilver could potentially be used to cure cancer and his research shifted from environmental to health sciences,” said Ms. Lacerda. “He also found that nanosilver might kill viruses, such as Frog Virus 3, which is contributing to worldwide amphibian decline.” Mr. Noble’s project, Silver Nano-Particle Theory: A New Cure for Cancer, recently received the Best Project Award at the 2013 Canada-Wide Science Fair.
Ms. Lacerda and Mr. Noble entered into an agreement to further develop and commercialize the ideas. Their goal is to form two enterprises: a company that will manufacture and distribute filtration systems to remove nanosilver from waste water, and potentially a pharmaceutical company to manufacture drugs which could cure cancer and diseases caused by viruses. Ms. Lacerda is a full partner and will be helping to set up the companies and to bring the commercial ideas to fruition.
“The next step for the filtration system is to do a feasibility study to determine if the idea is economically viable,” said Ms. Lacerda, who pointed out that the municipalities of Peterborough and Lindsay have expressed interest in the prototypes.
With good lab results under their belts for the cancer initiative, the pair is actively soliciting donations and grants to fund the next stage of their research. Our goal is to have proof that nanosilver stops cancer or reduces the size of tumours by the end of this year,” said Ms. Lacerda.
Ms. Lacerda praises the support she has received from Trent faculty and staff, including the Innovation Cluster and the Research Office. “The people at Trent want to see us succeed and are willing to help,” she said. “Dr. Craig Brunetti, director of the Environmental & Life Sciences graduate program has been very supportive along with Dr. Neil Emery, vice-president Research & International, and John Knight, manager of corporate research partnerships helping us make important connections outside of the university. Trent has great state-of-the art facilities and this is a great place to be for the next stage of our research.”
Ms. Lacerda advises other young students interested in research to consider Trent. “If it wasn’t for Trent I wouldn’t be here today, working on my Ph.D. thesis, doing cancer research, and possibly starting three companies.”
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of collaborative learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. As the University prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Oshawa delivers a distinct mix of programming in the GTA.
Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2013.