Recipient of the Henry and Berenice Kaufmann Foundation Trainee Award in Brain Cancer Research, Annika honours her grandmother’s life every day by pursuing research to extend survival rates of people with time-stealing brain cancer, a virulent and fast-moving disease that kills about 21,000 North Americans a year.
Annika is among a select group of trainees – Brain Canada’s Rising Stars – recognized for their brilliance, potential and ability to create a brighter future by illuminating the path ahead in brain science.
“Nothing has ever felt as rewarding as work that has the possibility to extend people’s lives,” she says. Under the supervision of Dr. Jeremy Brown in the MicroSonic Lab at Dal’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Annika is working on a surgical tool to improve visualization and removal of tumours lying below the surface of the brain. It pairs a microscopic ultrasound device with a specialized tracking camera
“One of the big challenges with brain cancer is it’s difficult to see the edges of the tumours during surgeries,” she explains. “The brain actually shifts, causing surgeons to either leave a little bit behind or risk removing too much tissue.” But this new technology could improve surgical outcomes.
“The surgeon can be more precise so that less of the deadly tumour is left and more of the healthy tissue is preserved, hopefully optimizing the quality of life and survival of these patients.” - Annika Benson
Clinical testing on the new tool could begin as early as this fall. “This research is at such an exciting stage right now,” Annika says. “It has the potential to be so impactful.”
Making an impact is something that has always guided Annika. Beginning with undergrad electrical engineering studies at St. Mary’s University and Dalhousie, she knew she wanted to do work to benefit society and to really make a difference in people’s lives.
While growing up in Bedford, Nova Scotia, she also had a special interest in brain research as someone with a learning disability and who is neurodivergent.
“As someone who lives with a disability and ADHD, I think about the brain more than the average person does – the ways it makes my life more interesting or sometimes more difficult. Even if I hadn’t ended up in cancer research, I likely would have done something with the brain.” - Annika Benson
During her undergrad degree, Annika worked in Dr. Brown’s lab and became so captivated by the research that she knew she needed to pursue graduate work in the field.
After finishing her PhD, Annika hopes to continue working with guided ultrasound technology. “I’d love to be part of that journey if I can.”
She says funding from Brain Canada has enabled her to achieve her academic and career goals and “do what I think is very important work . . .Without that, this would not be possible.”
This is the kind of impact donors are hoping to achieve, when they donate to Brain Canada’s capacity-building programs.
"Brain cancer steals far too much from patients and families, including precious time together,” says Janis Levine, President & Executive Officer of The Henry and Berenice Kaufmann Foundation, the donor who funds this award.
“By supporting promising researchers like Annika Benson, we are investing in discoveries that could improve treatment and help give people living with brain cancer more quality time with the people they love." - Janis Levine, President & Executive Officer of The Henry and Berenice Kaufmann Foundation
Recognition with an award that sees her as a “rising star” is also “really empowering, and a big boost,” she adds.
“Academia is hard and it’s nice to know there are cheerleaders.”
Somewhere in the starlight, there’s no question her “Nan” is among them.
