It's no secret that cancer is a life-altering disease, but the treatments used to navigate it don't have to be.
Annika Benson, a Dal PhD student in biomedical engineering, has been researching a way to improve outcomes for patients stuck in one of the trickiest cancer treatment scenarios of all: removal of a brain tumour.
This week, she brought her pitch titled Breaking the Wall of Brain Cancer Treatment to the big stage at the and walked away with first prize.
Annika's win earned her a spot to represent the region in the Falling Walls pitch finals in Germany against nearly 100 other talented researchers from around the globe presenting their research-based ideas to improve the world to an audience of international thought leaders and Nobel Prize Laureates.
"Going to Berlin is a huge honour," she says. "I鈥檓 really proud of what our little lab in Halifax has achieved with this unique ultrasound probe, and I'm thrilled to have the chance to share and represent that work on such a prestigious, global stage."
The 2025 Falling Walls Science Summit will be held from Nov. 6-9 in Berlin. (Image: Falling Walls Foundation)
Treating brain cancer carries substantial risks for patients, including the possibility of suffering permanent neurological damage during surgery. Annika's winning presentation centred around reducing these risks by improving neurosurgical guidance using a miniature, high-resolution ultrasound probe.
While standard tools and conventional ultrasound technology work to an extent, the pencil-sized device presented by Annika enables surgeons to remove brain tumours with a far greater degree of precision. It does so by offering high-quality imaging through narrow pathways, thereby overcoming some limitations of existing technology.
Fellow Dal researchers Blaine Fiss and Jayda Kruger won second and third place respectively at this year's regionals.
Dal student researchers have performed exceptionally well in Falling Walls since the university first started fielding competitors in 2022, with Dina Rogers (a grad student) and Dr. Joseph Bedard (now an alum) both going on to win the global finals.
We caught up with Annika after this week's win to learn more about her research journey, the novel tech she is working on, and her perspective heading into the global finals.
Your winning pitch focused on improving neurosurgical guidance with a miniature, high-resolution ultrasound probe. What inspired you to tackle this specific challenge in brain cancer treatment, and how did your idea evolve during your research journey?
My involvement with this project actually started back when I was an undergrad student. When I found out that my (now supervisor) Dr. Jeremy Brown鈥檚 lab was working on developing this cutting-edge ultrasound probe for guiding brain surgery, I knew right away I wanted to be a part of it. I鈥檝e always wanted to find a way to make a difference and this project felt like the perfect opportunity. So, I started working in the lab as an undergrad student and clearly my enthusiasm never faded, because I came back for grad studies. Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way, and it gives me such a sense of purpose to be working towards something that could save lives.
When I first became involved with this project, the focus was just brain surgery, but since then, it鈥檚 been exciting to see the project branch off to include more and more applications. My work is focused on brain cancer, but my lab mates have been developing variations of the probe for guiding spine surgery, thyroid cancer and even treating sleep apnea.
Falling Walls Lab emphasizes 鈥渂reaking walls鈥� in science and society. In your view, what wall does your innovation break beyond the technical aspects 鈥� and how do you hope it will change the lives of patients or influence the medical field?
The project is about giving patients and their loved ones time and hope. When I started this project, I didn鈥檛 really have any experience that would let me appreciate what that could feel like for somebody. But in my second year of grad school, I lost my Nan to cancer, and it really put things in perspective. I was luckier than most 鈥� I had the time to spend one last Christmas with her, and it meant the world to me. But a lot of patients and their families don鈥檛 get that. I really hope that with this tool we can help give families more time together. In research, we are often focused on quantifying things, but you can鈥檛 measure memories. Any more time with someone you love is priceless.
You鈥檒l be representing Atlantic Canada at the global finals in Berlin. What does this opportunity mean to you personally and professionally and how do you plan to prepare for presenting your idea on an international stage?
Going to Berlin is a huge honour! I鈥檓 really proud of what our little lab in Halifax has achieved with this unique ultrasound probe and I'm thrilled to have the chance to share and represent that work on such a prestigious, global stage. On a more personal level, it鈥檚 also incredibly affirming to have my project celebrated in this way. On a day-to-day basis, when I鈥檓 just a grad student, typing away at my laptop and prodding at a fake brain, it鈥檚 easy to lose sight of the big picture and forget my potential impact as a researcher. But this pitch competition has really encouraged me to look at my research group and I as innovators.
I鈥檓 also really looking forward to getting to connect with the other attendees and presenters at the conference. Most of the conferences I鈥檝e attended so far have been focused around my research area, so it鈥檒l be interesting to be exposed to innovations from completely different fields. I鈥檓 excited to learn what amazing things other people have been up to.
As the Atlantic winner, I鈥檒l be paired with a pitch coach, so I鈥檓 looking forward to getting their feedback on how I can refine my presentation. Other than that, just a lot of practice. I have a feeling that by the time the competition rolls around in November, I鈥檒l be reciting my pitch in my sleep!