Neuro-Oncology Fellowship
The Meagan Bebenek Neuro-oncology Fellowship invites doctors worldwide to collaborate and gain valuable insights from leading experts at SickKids and the Brain Tumour Research Centre in Toronto.
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Each year, we extend an invitation to a clinical researcher specializing in neuro-oncology to join the esteemed team at the Brain Tumour Research Centre. Funded by MBF, this Fellowship plays a crucial role in advancing research efforts and promoting collaboration with esteemed international research institutions.
With the discovery of an increasing number of subtypes of rare brain tumours, the Fellowship program actively contributes to our understanding of these complex conditions. Through international partnerships forged during the program, researchers gain valuable insights, enabling them to make significant strides in the development of targeted treatments and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
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Global Impact
Meagan Bebenek Foundation has always embraced a global vision: to extend the Circle of Hope to children all around the world. The Fellowship program exemplifies our commitment to this vision, as it encourages collaboration at its core. By bringing their unique expertise to Toronto, these fellows leave a significant impact on our local medical community. Equally important is the knowledge they take back to their home countries, contributing to the advancement of medical practices on a global scale. This initiative plays a crucial role in fostering a tightly-knit medical network, uniting the world's foremost experts on paediatric brain tumours.
Our Fellows
2024-2025
Dr. Marina Caballero Bellón
Spain
During her year at the BTRC, Dr. Caballero Bellón's research interest is focused on the use of liquid biopsy in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with brain tumours.
2023-2024
Dr. Akanksha Senapati
Australia
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Dr. Senapati undertook research examining the outcomes and determinants of survival in infants with metastatic medulloblastoma.
2022-2023
Dr. Mari Wilhelmsson
Sweden
Dr. Wilhelmsson pursued a specialized focus on providing care for children with brain tumours, while also planning for their long-term well-being and follow-up.
2021-2022
Dr. Inci Bajin
Turkey
Dr. Bajin was involved in the diagnosis and treatment of all paediatric brain tumor patients. Driven by the goal of mastering the latest research practices in diagnostic tools and treatment strategies, Dr. Bajin sought to offer her patients the best possible treatment options available.
2020-2021
Dr. Nirav Thacker
India
Dr. Nirav Thacker, born and raised in Mumbai, India where he studied medicine and trained as a paediatric hematologist-oncologist. He continued his training at Royal Marsden, London UK and at SickKids and applied to Meagan Bebenek Foundation Fellowship due to his passion to paediatric neuro-oncology.
2019-2020
Dr. Anirban Das
India
Dr. Das focused his research on an increasingly recognized cancer predisposition syndrome for children with brain tumours, known as the Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency Syndrome (CMMRD), where tumours do not get cured by traditional chemo and radiotherapy approaches.
2018-2019
Dr. Lorena Baroni
Argentina
Dedicated to understanding malignant brain tumours in the central nervous system, Dr. Baroni focuses her research on clinical management and treatment of high-risk patients and clinical-biological correlations.
2017-2018
Dr. Liana Nobre
Brazil
Studying the molecular characterization of low-grade gliomas, Dr. Nobre explored the feasibility of liquid biopsy to better determine response to new targeted therapies.
2016-2017
Dr. Christine Dahl
Denmark
Dr. Dahl investigated the cognitive outcome of children treated for medulloblastoma in relation to hearing impairment.
2015-2016
Dr. Michal Zapotocky
Czech Republic
Dr. Zapotocky evaluated incidents of mutations in low-grade gliomas with clinical outcomes to identify patients suitable for novel targeted therapies.
2014-2015
Dr. Alvaro Lassaletta
Spain
Dr. Lassaletta evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of reirradiation (radiating again at relapse) in patients with DIPG, an incurable tumour.