Carter Williamson receives $20,000.00 Masters Studentship award
“It was early in high school that I became fascinated with science and knew I wanted to pursue it,” said Carter Williamson, son of Darrin Williamson and the late Vanessa Nordal. That early curiosity carried him from small-town Manitoba into the research labs at Brandon University, where he is now tackling some of the biggest questions in cancer science.
When he achieved his Bachelor degree in Science two years ago, Carter had no idea what he wanted to do next. “I approached Dr. Mousumi Majumder who was accepting new students in her Breast Cancer Cell and Molecular Research Lab lab. I talked with her about what they were all working on and thought it was really interesting. She accepted my request to join her lab.”
Carter’s research focuses on triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of the disease. Unlike other subtypes, TNBC lacks hormone and HER2 receptors, leaving chemotherapy as one of the few treatment options. Unfortunately, many patients do not respond, or their cancer eventually develops resistance.
“I’m deeply honoured to receive the Master’s Studentship Award from Research Manitoba,” said Williamson. “This support will allow me to devote more time to exploring how TNBC cells adapt during treatment resistance and to work toward identifying markers that could help clinicians anticipate resistance and tailor treatments. It’s a big step forward for my research and for the patients who stand to benefit.”
Carter compares his work to looking under the hood of a car. By understanding how the “engine” of TNBC cells runs and adapts under chemotherapy, he hopes to uncover why some cells survive and eventually develop resistance. His experiments track changes in metabolism, cell survival, and gene expression, with the ultimate goal of helping doctors predict which cancers are likely to resist treatment and develop more effective strategies without over-relying on toxic chemotherapy.
Dr. Majumder, a Canada Research Chair in Genotoxicology, praised Williamson’s achievement. “Carter’s project exemplifies the kind of innovative, translational cancer biology work we strive for in the Majumder Lab. His efforts to study metabolic adaptations in TNBC and connect them to potential biomarkers is not only scientifically rigorous, but holds real promise for improving treatment outcomes. We are very proud of his achievement and excited to see where his research leads.”
The Research Manitoba Master’s Studentship Award provides $20,000 in funding over one year to support promising graduate students like Carter. For him, the award is not just recognition – it is an opportunity to continue his exploration of cancer metabolism and make a tangible difference in the lives of patients facing this challenging disease.
“At the end of the day, I am just incredibly grateful to be a part of this work and given the opportunity by Dr. Majumder to take on this project which has the potential to make a real difference. And that is something I don’t take for granted.”
While there is no set timeline for completing a master’s degree, Carter is hopeful it won’t be much more than a couple of years. What comes next after his thesis is complete? He just grins that boyish grin which belies his seriousness. “I have no idea,” he admits with a laugh.
He may not know exactly where his future will lead, but it is a safe bet that this small-town boy with the build of a construction worker and the mischievous smile of someone fuelled by wonder will continue making a difference. His curiosity, passion and determination to solve tough questions are sure to carry him toward discoveries that will reach far beyond the lab.
