Grant: DRA : Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest cancers affecting women, and the most common and aggressive type, called high-grade serous carcinoma, causes the majority of deaths. One reason ovarian cancer is so dangerous is that it is usually found late and often comes back after treatment. To save more lives, researchers need to discover new ways to detect the disease earlier and to create better treatment options. This project focuses on a newly discovered type of molecule in our cells, called a circular RNA. Unlike typical RNAs that carry instructions for making proteins, circular RNAs help control how genes behave. We are studying a specific circular RNA, called circSKA3, which appears to help ovarian cancer grow but has not been well studied before. Our research will uncover how circSKA3 works inside cancer cells, especially how it interacts with other molecules that drive tumor growth. By revealing the role of circSKA3 in ovarian cancer, this research could lead to new tools for diagnosing the disease earlier and more accurately, as well as new treatment strategies that directly target the cancer's weaknesses. Ultimately, the goal is to improve survival and quality of life for women affected by ovarian cancer.