Nawaid Usmani
Dr. Usmani believes that prostate cancer research will continue to allow for more personalized care — where the treatment is optimally designed for patients, resulting in improved cure rates, less treatment side effects, and best outcomes possible.
How did you get into your area of research?
When I started my clinical practice, I wanted to explore strategies to improve the treatments that are available to our patients.
Where did you study?
I completed my Undergrad and MD at McMaster University, followed by residency at Queen’s University and a fellowship at University of British Columbia.
How would you explain your current research to someone not in your field?
I study treating prostate cancer with radiotherapy. I am exploring improved treatments for prostate cancer and strategies to minimize side effects from radiation.
What research challenges do you face?
You have to be patient to be successful in research, as you often encounter obstacles that delay the successful completion of your research.
Which elements of your work do you find the most rewarding?
It is rewarding when we are able to identify new strategies to help improve our treatments, as it can improve the care for our patients.
What impact is your research making, or do you hope it will make in the future?
We are currently implementing a new technology called the Linac MR, which will allow us to improve the imaging available for radiation treatment patients and will improve our ability to treat some cancers with radiation. I am hopeful that this technology will allow us to treat patients that are currently not possible to treat with radiotherapy in the near future.
If you hadn’t become a researcher, what might you be doing?
My career would have focused on providing clinical care alone to patients.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I am a sports junkie and enjoying playing and watching most sports, but particularly hockey, football, and baseball.
How has CRINA helped support your work?
CRINA has helped fund summer students and other research that I have led. It has also helped foster collaborations within the Department of Oncology.