Our Partners
International Gastric Cancer Association
The International Gastric Cancer Association brings together surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, researchers, and soon advocates from around the world with the common goal of curing stomach cancer. IGCA drives knowledge exchange, multi-center studies, and guideline development, and hosts the International Gastric Cancer Congress to share the latest advances in care.
Canadian Gastric Cancer Association
The Canadian Gastric Cancer Association is a national, multidisciplinary network of clinicians, researchers, and patient partners that shares resources for patients and providers, while advancing stomach cancer research and care. Founded in 2018, it is the Canadian affiliate of the International Gastric Cancer Association.
Other Collaborators
Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national charity dedicated to uniting and inspiring Canadians to take control of cancer. In partnership with donors and volunteers, CCS supports people affected by cancer through world-class research funding, transformative advocacy, and compassionate information and support services across Canada.
My Gut Feeling
My Gut Feeling is a national non-profit dedicated solely to stomach cancer. It supports patients, survivors, and caregivers through peer-to-peer support, education and awareness initiatives, and advocacy to improve care and strengthen the patient voice across Canada.
Meet our Research Team
Our multidisciplinary researchers partner with patient advocates to turn lived experience into better stomach cancer care.
Dr. Natalie Coburn
Principal Investigator
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Dr. Natalie Coburn, Surgical Oncologist and the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Cancer Outcomes at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, holds leadership roles and conducts research to enhance outcomes for GI tract cancer patients. As the Principal Investigator, she spearheads the development of this project.
Ivy Ip
Research Coordinator
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Ivy is a Research Coordinator at Sunnybrook Research Institute, passionate about improving care outcomes for cancer patients and bridging the gap between healthcare providers and patients.
Gianna Yau
Research Assistant
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Gianna is a Research Assistant at Sunnybrook Research Institute, keen on exploring the challenges faced by cancer patients and addressing their needs through the development of improved clinical policies, guidelines, and tools.
Monica Yuen
Research Assistant
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Monica is a medical student at the University of Toronto, passionate about patient outcomes and leverage data in improving gastric cancer care.
James Thistle
Research Assistant
Sunnybrook Research Institute
James is a medical student at the University of Toronto, passionate about bridging gaps in medical and surgical care in underserved communities globally.
Luna Canaj
Research Assistant
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Luna Canaj is a Research Assistant at Sunnybrook Research Institute, focused on developing tools to enhance patient education surrounding gastric cancer, aiming to improve patient outcomes.
Jeremy Zhu
Research Assistant
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Jeremy is a Research Assistant at Sunnybrook Research Institute.
Sara Bocchinfuso
Research Assistant
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Sara is a general surgery resident at the Mayo Clinic, focused on bridging socioeconomic disparities to improve nutrition guidelines for patients post-gastrectomy.