Driven by purpose
Adam Bakos has always been fascinated by medical research, but it was his mother’s battle with cancer that transformed his curiosity into a lifelong purpose.
His mother lived with stage 4 breast cancer for more than 14 years before the disease spread to her brain. She passed away shortly after Adam graduated from high school, leaving him with an unwavering determination to help families facing similar hardships.
“I witnessed not only the physical burden it had on her, but the emotional and financial impact it had on our whole family. It’s an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone.” — Adam Bakos
After completing his undergraduate degree in biochemistry and biomedical sciences at the University of Windsor, Adam spent three years in Dr. Lisa Porter’s laboratory studying glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. His research explored tumour heterogeneity—the differences between cells within the same tumour—to better understand what drives tumour growth and how targeted treatments might one day improve outcomes for patients.
The Brain Tumour Research Studentship gave Adam the opportunity to lead his own research project, gain independence in the lab and strengthen the skills that will support his goal of becoming a clinician-scientist.
“It solidified the passion I had been building throughout my undergraduate degree,” he says.
Studentships are entirely funded through donor support and provide a unique opportunity for undergraduate and medical students in Canada to gain experience in brain tumour research. The two-year awards provide a total of $10,000 in funding to promising students like Adam.
In fall 2026, Adam will begin medical school at the University of Toronto, where he hopes to combine patient care with research to improve the lives of people with brain tumours.
“My hope is that the more we discover, the better treatments we can develop,” Adam says. “If I can contribute to a world where no one has to face what my mother faced, or what my family experienced, I think I would have accomplished so much.”
By investing in emerging researchers like Adam, donors are helping build the next generation of leaders in brain tumour research.
2025 Studentship recipients
Lucas AsselstineHamilton, Ontario
Generously funded by the
St. George Royal Canadian Legion
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Adam Bakos