Gabriela Ilie, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine, Endowed Soillse Scientist in Prostate Cancer Quality of Life Research, and Affiliate Scientist at Nova Scotia Health. She is jointly appointed between the Departments of Urology and Epidemiology, and cross appointed in the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Psychology and Neuroscience. Gabriela was recently honored with the 2024 Public Impact Award by Research Nova Scotia for her contributions to improving public health.

Born and raised in Romania, Gabriela emigrated to Canada at age 21 and completed her undergraduate degree and PhD (on the effect of music and speech on emotion and cognitive function) in Toronto. Her university teaching career began before she had her doctorate. Over the next 16 years, Gabriela taught more than 90 statistics and diverse psychology and epidemiology courses at the University of Toronto to over 25,000 students. 

At the same time, her research career flourished as she worked with neurosurgeons and other scientists while supervising many graduate students. She published seminal papers in top scientific journals showing concussions lead to long-term emotional, cognitive, and social problems especially in teens.

In 2016, Gabriela was awarded the prestigious Frank and Debbi Sobey endowed Soillse Scientific Chair at Dalhousie University. Her mission: to address the unmet needs of prostate cancer survivors. With limited knowledge of prostate cancer but a deep commitment to making a difference, Gabriela immersed herself in the field. On her first day, she joined a local support group, connecting with men she now calls “Research Citizens”—the true experts on prostate cancer quality of life. Partnering with urologists, including Rob, and community members, she conducted a landmark survey of over 500 men in Eastern Canada. The findings revealed that prostate cancer survivors faced double the risk of depression and anxiety compared to other men.

To address these challenges, in 2018, Gabriela co-developed with Rob the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP), which launched as a one-month pilot in 2019. The results were extraordinary: participants experienced improved mental health, reduced side effects, and significant weight loss. The program expanded into a six-month model and eventually evolved into CancerPEP. Between 2019 and 2022, a Phase 3 randomized clinical trial demonstrated substantial improvements in mental and physical health for participants.

By late 2022, CancerPEP had expanded beyond prostate cancer, launching a Phase 2 clinical trial for all cancer types. Within a week, 102 participants enrolled, reflecting the program’s broad appeal. Today, CancerPEP operates across Canada and internationally, empowering patients to take control of their health and well-being.

Currently, Gabriela leads the CancerPEP and Chronic Disease PEP programs (www.pcpep.org, www.PictouCountyPEP.org), focusing on empowering patients worldwide and bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve. Her innovative approach to patient care transforms lives, strengthens communities, and creates a global legacy of empowerment and resilience.