Here is the portrait of one of the recipients of a 2025 CRC Excellence Scholarship, Omid Gholami, a doctoral student in pharmaceutical sciences and Professor Aline Hajj's team. The CRC scholarship program is made possible thanks to the funding of our centre by Université Laval as well as the support of the Cancer Research Fund of Université Laval.
Omid Gholami's fascination with understanding how medicines and drugs interact with the human body, coupled with their impact on metabolism, led him to embark on an academic journey. In 2006, he pursued a pharmacy degree at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran. His curiosity extended beyond the basics, delving into pharmacology, drug mechanisms, and pharmacokinetics. This passion drove him to pursue a Ph.D., and in 2006, he joined the Department of Pharmacology at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran.
After graduation, he transitioned to academia as a faculty member at Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Over the past decade, in addition to teaching pharmacology to students and working as a pharmacist, he authored research proposals, published scientific papers, and contributed a book chapter on cancer diagnosis and treatment. His expertise spans both basic and clinical pharmacology, consulting patients, and enriching his teaching and research endeavors.
During his graduate studies, clinical pharmacology and pharmacogenomics captured his attention. The vast diversity of subjects in personalized medicine and pharmacogenomics convinced him to apply for a second Ph.D. program in this field. His aspiration is to delve deeper into the genetic intricacies of chemotherapeutic drug responses, further contributing to the advancement of personalized cancer medicine.
The emerging field of personalized medicine stands at the forefront of medical knowledge, aiming to tailor treatments to individual patients. His doctoral thesis focuses on identifying genetic variations in cancer patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. By understanding these genetic nuances, he aims to alleviate cancer patient pain and suffering while also easing the financial burden on healthcare systems. His work aligns with the Canadian Cancer Society’s mission to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients during and after treatment, contributing to the World Health Organization’s Sustainable Development goals.
Driven by enthusiasm, he aspires to become a full professor. Beyond academia, he harbors intriguing ideas for a personalized medicine-related company. His vision involves diagnosing the genetic basis of drug responses and reactions. Through expert consultation, physicians would select the most suitable medications at optimal doses for individual patients. Having Dr. Aline Hajj as his supervisor—an accomplished researcher with numerous publications and conference presentations—is a privilege that fuels his passion.