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Dr. Brooke McNeil’s research for her thesis, , crossed radiopharmaceutical science and nuclear chemistry to focus on theranostic radiometals for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

McNeil’s work was conducted across the fields chemistry, life sciences, and collaborated with (Canada’s particle accelerator centre). What also makes this research special and unique is that her research spans the entire scope of these radiopharmaceuticals from isotope production, chemical development, and biological evaluation. This breadth of expertise is rare, as most trainees specialize in only one component of this interdisciplinary field.

As a result of her exhaustive inquiry, she not only improved the supply of these isotopes, but she also was able to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients using the drugs as a part of their cancer treatment.

In addition to maintaining a perfect 4.33 CGPA, McNeil also was the recipient of many awards, including the EANM Springer Prize for Best Paper, Oral Presentation Award, Canadian Society for Chemistry Conference, Research Excellence Chemistry Graduate Fellowship, DuPont Graduate Entrance Scholarship, Provost Prize of Distinction, Barbara Ferrier Chemistry Research Award, and NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS‑M and CGS‑D). She also demonstrated leadership capabilities as a significant contributor to a Mitacs Accelerate project with ARTMS Inc. and through training and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate trainees and researchers in target manufacturing, radiochemical purification, radiolabeling, and preclinical evaluation techniques.

Caterina Ramogida, McNeil’s academic supervisor holds McNeil and her work in high regard.

Says Ramogida, “Dr. McNeil is an exceptionally talented scientist with a rare breadth of expertise spanning nuclear chemistry, radiopharmaceutical development, and preclinical evaluation. Her remarkable ability and reputation were quickly recognized, as evidenced by her recruitment as an Associate Scientist at Abdera, a leading radiopharmaceutical company in Vancouver, even before completing her doctoral thesis.�

McNeil share her gratitude for the support she’s received during her research and studies.

Says McNeil, “I am incredibly honoured to receive this medal and I am deeply grateful to my supervisor, Caterina Ramogida, for providing me with the scientific freedom to explore the field of radiopharmaceuticals beyond the traditional scope of a thesis, and for continually offering and supporting me through opportunities that have greatly helped me grow as a scientist. I am also so thankful to have had such a great community at 911³Ô¹Ï who supported me throughout my degree.â€�

McNeil joined Abdera Therapeutics to evaluate antibody-based radiopharmaceuticals and is joining TRIUMF as a postdoctoral fellow to investigate paediatric cancers.