They’re working in concert with a crucial shift towards personalized cancer care. “One thousand people might have the same type of breast cancer but their genetic makeup can influence many things in the course of how they’re treated.”

She adds, “We can also use genetic screens to look at changes in other cancer-related genes, and how those are affected as a result of targeting one gene.”

Lackraj credits the hands-on lab experience she had at Ryerson for fostering her passion for research. “Being in a lab, conducting my own experiments, going through the process of failed experiments, optimization, and perseverance … That doesn’t happen at a lot of other universities because of the sheer number of students. But at Ryerson I got that opportunity, and that’s what really made me fall in love with research and pursue graduate studies.”

As for where she sees herself in five years, Lackraj is quick to answer, “I’d love to be established and have my own lab.” That ambition dovetails with one of her mottos: “Dreams don’t work unless you do.”

“Your only limitation in life should be the things that are out of your control, and I’m a very big believer in actively going after your dreams and that if you put in the work, you can achieve just about anything in life.”