Dr. Katarzyna Jerzak, MD, M.Sc., FRCPC, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto. With a robust academic background, including a B.Sc. in Chemistry from York University, an MD from McMaster University, an MSc degree in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Toronto and dual FRCPC certifications in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology from McMaster University and the University of Toronto respectively. In addition, Dr. Jerzak completed medical oncology fellowship training at the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, combining her clinical expertise with research acumen.

Among several other awards and grants, Dr. Jerzak was a recipient of the prestigious Conquer Cancer of ASCO Career Development Award in 2019, which is rarely awarded to investigators outside of the USA. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Dr. Jerzak is deeply involved in the advancement of breast oncology. Her role as Lead of Breast Oncology Clinical Trials at Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre underscores her commitment to advancing the care of patients with breast cancer through evaluation of new treatment strategies.

At the heart of Dr. Jerzak’s work lies a dedication to both translational and clinical research. She is actively engaged in the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, a member of the international NRG Oncology Breast Cancer Committee and a member of the Breast International Group (BIG) Brain Metastases Task Force. She is actively participating in the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN)-BIG Core Working Group; together these organizations are identifying the critical questions and setting the strategic research priorities for brain metastases research in North America and Europe.

Among other investigator-initiated trials, Dr. Jerzak spearheaded a groundbreaking pilot study comparing routine MRI screening with symptom-directed screening for brain metastases in patients with triple-negative or HER2+ metastatic breast cancer. She is also co-PI of a clinical trial evaluating a novel treatment option for patients with HER2+ leptomeningeal metastatic disease. In addition, she is investigating the molecular “drivers” of brain metastases, with a goal of identifying methods to prevent the development of brain metastases. Dr. Jerzak has over 85 peer-reviewed publications, including publications in high impact journals such as Lancet Oncology, JAMA Oncology and Clinical Cancer Research.

With a passion for improving patient outcomes and a commitment to cutting-edge research, Dr. Katarzyna Jerzak stands at the forefront of advancing oncology care and knowledge.