has been awarded a $2.1-million grant to research why some chemotherapies lead to heart failure.

Gopinath Sutendra is going to look at chemotherapy drugs under the microscope and study their exact molecular pathways. That’s one person every 13 minutes.

Sutendra says the grant allows him to dive into his “top-tier research” right away, rather than waiting to establish funding and then starting the research months down the road.

He wants his research to not only find a way to protect the heart, but also improve the effects some chemo drugs have on tumours.

‘Appreciating science’

Sutendra recalls his high school chemistry teacher Miss Ryan, who helped him appreciate the practicality of science.

After graduating from St. They’re really good,” Sutendra said.

‘A close, connected place’

Sutendra says even though he’s not living in the North now, it’s still important to him.

“We just loved the closeness to nature [in the N.W.T.,] the close-knit communities, and so we just had a great experience.”

Sutendra’s parents still live in Yellowknife and he brings his children up at least once a year.