Abby Chapman's Breakthrough Achievement with Optica Women Scholar 2026 Award

Abby Chapman, a fourth-year student in the University of Prince Edward Island's Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, has been selected as one of 20 recipients of the prestigious Optica Women Scholar 2026 award. This recognition highlights her outstanding contributions to biomedical optics and photonics, positioning her as the sole Canadian honoree in this global cohort. The award not only celebrates her academic excellence but also underscores the growing impact of Canadian universities like UPEI in fostering innovative research in optics and photonics.

Optics, the branch of physics that studies the behavior and properties of light including its interactions with matter and the instruments used to detect it, intersects with photonics, an engineering discipline focused on the science and technology of light generation, detection, and manipulation primarily through photons. Chapman's work exemplifies how these fields converge in biomedical applications to advance cancer treatments.

From Stratford Roots to International Recognition

Hailing from Stratford on Prince Edward Island, Chapman built a strong foundation in science early on. She graduated from Pearson College, a United World College on Vancouver Island, earning an International Baccalaureate Diploma. This global perspective fueled her passion for engineering and research. At UPEI, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering, a program emphasizing innovative, targeted, and sustainable solutions to real-world problems.

Beyond academics, Chapman balances leadership roles as co-president of UPEI's Ultimate frisbee team and rows with the PEI Rowing Club, demonstrating well-rounded excellence. Her journey reflects the supportive environment at UPEI, where students engage in hands-on research from early years.

Groundbreaking Research in Biomedical Optics

Over the past year, Chapman's research under supervisors Dr. Sundeep Singh and Dr. Bill Whelan has focused on thermal therapies for cancer. She characterized the photothermal properties of polydopamine nanoparticles to enhance photothermal therapy for squamous cell carcinoma, a common skin cancer. This involves using light to heat nanoparticles selectively within tumors, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

Her current project simulates microwave ablation (MWA) for breast cancer treatment. MWA is a minimally invasive procedure where microwave energy heats and destroys tumor cells. Chapman uses patient-specific models derived from MRI scans to study how breast density and power delivery protocols—such as continuous versus pulsed power—affect ablation zones. This could lead to personalized treatments improving efficacy and safety. She presented this at the 2026 SPIE Medical Imaging Conference in Vancouver.

Understanding Microwave Ablation: A Step-by-Step Breakthrough

Microwave ablation works by inserting a thin antenna into the tumor via imaging guidance like ultrasound or MRI. Microwaves (typically 2.45 GHz) cause water molecules in cells to vibrate rapidly, generating heat above 60°C to induce coagulative necrosis. Key steps include:

• Pre-procedure planning: Imaging assesses tumor size, location, and proximity to vital structures.
• Antenna insertion: Minimally invasive under local anesthesia.
• Energy delivery: Power (20-100W) applied for 5-15 minutes, monitored via temperature sensors.
• Post-ablation: Imaging confirms ablation zone; follow-up tracks recurrence.

Chapman's modeling addresses challenges like heterogeneous breast tissue, where dense breasts may alter heat distribution, potentially leading to incomplete ablations. Her work could optimize protocols, reducing recurrence rates from 10-20% in early-stage breast cancer.

The Optica Women Scholars Program: Empowering Future Leaders

Launched to address underrepresentation, the program selects 20 women annually based on merit, academic potential, and need. Eligibility targets undergraduates majoring in optics-related fields or master's students in photonics. Benefits include a US$10,000 grant, one-year Optica Student Membership, mentorship platform, and industry connections.

Chapman joins diverse recipients from 15 countries, competing against master's students as an undergrad. For more, visit the Optica Women Scholars page.

UPEI's Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering: A Hub for Innovation

UPEI's FSDE offers BSc, MSc, and PhD in Sustainable Design Engineering, focusing on design principles for sustainability. Housed in a 78,000 sq ft facility, it emphasizes interdisciplinary research. Chapman's success highlights strengths in biomedical applications, supported by faculty like Singh in bio-heat transfer and Whelan in optics.

Dr. Singh's expertise in computational fluid dynamics and thermo-fluids complements Dr. Whelan's Canada Research Chair legacy in biomedical optics, including optoacoustics and laser therapies. Their mentorship has propelled Chapman toward graduate studies.

Mentors' Insights: Praise for Chapman's Potential

Dr. Singh called her "one of the brightest minds," praising her curiosity and rigor. Dr. Whelan congratulated her Optica nod, noting her research impact. These endorsements affirm UPEI's role in nurturing talent.

Chapman shared: "I am incredibly grateful... especially thankful for my supervisors." Her passion drives meaningful contributions.

Women in STEM and Photonics: Canada's Progress and Challenges

Despite gains, women hold fewer than 25% of Canada's STEM jobs, though STEM enrollment rose 62% for women from 2010-2023 (to 228,708). In optics/photonics, hubs like Université Laval's COPL and uOttawa's Max Planck Centre thrive, but underrepresentation persists. Programs like Optica's address this, with Chapman as a beacon.

Statistics Canada notes 37.5% of male vs. 15.3% female bachelor's in core STEM, but fields like engineering see slow shifts. Initiatives promote equity, vital for innovation.

Advancements in Breast Cancer Treatment: MWA's Role in Canada

MWA is gaining traction for early-stage breast cancer, offering outpatient alternatives to surgery. Canadian research, including Atlantic Cancer's ablation stream, enhances precision. Chapman's simulations could refine protocols, reducing side effects and costs. Global market for tumor MWA projected at $315M by 2033.

Benefits include shorter recovery (days vs. weeks), cosmesis preservation. Risks: incomplete ablation in dense tissue—Chapman's focus.

Future Prospects: Chapman's Next Steps and Field Outlook

Planning grad studies in biomedical optics, Chapman eyes clinical translation. Photonics in Canada expands via uToronto's biophotonics and McMaster labs. Her award opens mentorships, potentially leading to research assistant jobs or postdocs.

Broader implications: personalized medicine via AI-digital twins (Singh's funded work). UPEI's $1.7M federal grants bolster such research.

Implications for Canadian Higher Education

UPEI exemplifies small-university impact, with programs aligning labor needs. For students, explore Canadian university jobs and scholarships. Chapman's story inspires, check Rate My Professor for UPEI faculty insights.

In conclusion, Abby Chapman's Optica award signals bright futures in Canadian higher ed. Aspiring engineers, pursue passions—opportunities abound at sites like higher-ed-jobs and career advice.

Photo by Fotos on Unsplash