The Frances Shepherd Award recipients announced

For over seven years the Dr. Frances Shepherd Award recognized excellence in clinical trials and translational research within CCTG research projects. The Award provides travel support to present CCTG work at major international and national meetings. The CCTG Scientific Leadership selection task force have recently announced two new recipients, congratulations to Florencia Comelles and Claire Norman who will be formally presented their award at the CCTG Spring Meeting 2026.

The first recipient of the Frances Shepherd Award for the abstract and presentation of "Incorporation of ASCO–Friends of Cancer Research (AFCR-HIV) Eligibility Criteria for People Living With HIV (PLWH) in Cancer Clinical Trials of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG)" which was recently presented at the CCRC meeting held in Calgary, AB. 

“Through my presentation, I aimed to highlight and advance inclusion efforts in cancer research, ensuring that clinical trials better represent the diversity of people affected by cancer,” says Florencia Comelles. “I’m deeply honored to receive this award, which reflects not only my efforts but the dedication of my mentors and collaborators who inspire me every day.”

Claire received the Frances Shepherd Award for her abstract and presentation of "Tumor-Associated Neutrophil Infiltration Predicts Benefit from Combination Chemoimmunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer" which was presented at the IASLC 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer in Barcelona, Spain.

"This research project demonstrating the predictive value of tumour associated neutrophils in non-small cell lung cancer was made possible by the support of the CCTG. I am grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the Dr. Frances Shepherd award which has allowed me to disseminate our exciting results at an international meeting,” says Claire Norman.

If you have an upcoming presentation and are interested in this award please continue here for more information on the award and how to apply >