Lauren Van Der Kraak

CDHF – CIHR SHOPP 2011 Research Awardee Profile

"Both Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer arise due to a combination of dietary, lifestyle, host microbial and genetic factors. While it is possible to control or modify diet and exercise patterns, we cannot control our genetics.

"Canada has one of the highest rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and incidence of colorectal cancer," says Lauren Van Der Kraak. "These are not statistics where being first is best."

Lauren is a PhD Candidate at McGill University in Quebec and recipient of one of three 2011 research awards jointly funded by the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF) and Canadian Institute for Health Research's (CIHR) Small Health Organization Partnership Program. Her research aims to help identify IBD and colon cancer risk factors in the form of susceptibility genes.

"Once identified and validated," explains Lauren, "these genes can serve as markers to screen affected individuals or families. If we can identify early on who is more at risk of developing disease, it is expected that we will save more lives by offering early, appropriate prevention and treatment." This is exciting news and offers hope for afflicted Canadians.

Lauren says research funding is incredibly difficult to come by right now and that this award provides her with an immense sense of pride and freedom. "This is one of the highest honours a graduate student can receive. It will enable me to ask and answer research questions that might not have been possible. It will place me in a competitive position when it comes time to seek my post-doctoral position. And, it will be an important step towards my goal of establishing my own research laboratory."

While Lauren is thinking to the future, she fully understands the importance of better understanding how diet, gut microbes, lifestyle and genetics contributes to the development of IBD and colorectal cancer today. The CDHF is proud to support her efforts and looks forward to the results of her research.