A University of Alberta student has been awarded a prestigious academic award for his master’s thesis where he made a breakthrough on prostate cancer treatment. According to Postmedia, Weiyang Liu “spent four years developing a machine with a laser and fibre-optic probes that can be inserted through the skin and into the prostate gland to treat the cancer.” Known as photodynamic therapy, the “treatment relies on light-sensitive drugs injected into the bloodstream, but the drugs remain inert until fibre-optic probes deliver the light to just the right spot to kill off the cancerous tissue.” Within five years, the therapy could be a viable alternative to surgery. For his efforts, Liu was recognized for producing the best thesis by the Western Association of Graduate Schools.
On Campus
Master’s thesis makes cancer breakthrough
Alberta student wins top academic prize
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