2017 was not only a year of great discoveries for PhD student Caitlin Miron, but it was also one of great recognition. On Dec. 20, Miron was named one of Chatelaine’s 33 Women of the Year.
The Canadian women’s lifestyle magazine recognized Miron for her exceptional research in the field of Chemistry, and specifically, cancer research.
“A breakthrough discovery by Queen’s University PhD student Caitlin Morin has made this notion a real possibility,” the feature reads. “The 28-year-old Ottawa native identified a chemical compound that binds to DNA and keeps cancer cells from moving on to other parts of the body.”
Caitlin was first recognized in late November last year for her discovery of a DNA binder that could prevent the spread of cancer cells during her time at the European Institute of Chemistry and Biology in . Now, she is named alongside Canadian musicians Shania Twain, Alessia Cara and the first female mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante.
In an email to The Journal, Miron wrote that it’s an honour to be included on a list with such amazing women and to represent Canadian women in science.
“Hopefully the spotlight on our group’s fundamental research into the interactions between chemical compounds and DNA, which may have eventual applications in anticancer therapeutics, will draw attention to all of the amazing cancer research going on here at Queen’s and across Canada,” she continued.
Miron’s work garnered attention from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and earned her the 2017 Mitacs Award for Outstanding Innovation. Mitacs is a non-profit organization that spans 60 countries, with a multitude of companies to innovation in Canada. The award is granted to seven PhD students annually who have achieved significant new strides in research and innovation.
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