IRIC - Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer

Published on June 4, 2025

Doris Alexandra Schuetz is an inspiration to many members of the IRIC community. A committed professional dedicated to the fight against cancer on a daily basis, Doris also excels at running, a sport she has been practising for several years now. Eager to combine business with pleasure, Doris has raised close to $5,000 for cancer research at IRIC since 2022, through her participation in the Montreal Beneva Marathon. IRIC is proud to introduce you to this inspiring person.

 

Can you briefly introduce yourself?

Hi, I am Doris, and I am a researcher at  IRIC, working in the field of oncology. I was born in Austria and so far, I have lived in five different countries, across the globe. I love travelling and enjoy immersing myself in different cultures- especially through their food, music and everyday life. One of my favourite hobbies is running, which I love not only for its physical and mental benefits, but also because it is something I can do almost anywhere in the world.

At what point in your life did you start running, and for what reasons?

I did not like running much until I was around 17 or 18. I had a friend who lived around 5 or 6km from my parents’ place with no good public transport connection, and I started running to her place to visit her. Those were my first runs, and I started to do it more regularly, and to enjoy it more and more.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date in terms of distance traveled and/or selected running event?

I am proud of the New York Marathon I ran in 2023. The event was amazing, and I was lucky to be part of it. Other than that, I finished an Ultramarathon in Austria, some years ago. It was a trail run and a fantastic experience. I would like to run more trails and ultra trails in the (near) future. I recently ran a 25km trail run in the Tyrolian alps, at the beginning of May. I hope there is a lot more to come.

During the Marathon Beneva de Montréal, you raised a significant amount for IRIC team to benefit research. What was your main motivation for becoming significantly involved in the cause?

I am convinced that the work we are doing at  IRIC is wonderful and will contribute to a positive development for many diseases. I am proud and lucky to be involved directly, through conducting research for the Institute. I am sure many people are interested to contribute and are hopeful and grateful about our profession. Donating to the Institute and supporting research in this way, is an amazing way to become part of the research we are trying to push forward.

You are committed as a professional at IRIC. Do you also have personal motivations and/or personal stories related to cancer that drive you to excel in research?

One of my best friends received an unfortunate diagnosis some years ago. And I noticed, almost everyone nowadays knows someone who has cancer or passed away from it.

What is your wish for the future of cancer research?

I hope that the research continues to evolve towards personalized, preventive medicine – aiming to avoid harming healthy tissue and ultimately to prevent cancer altogether. Research should be a collaborative effort across disciplines and institutions. I hope that cancer research and researchers receive the support and resources they need to keep making an impact.

Why is it important to donate to cancer research?

As pharmaceutical companies and government grants often focus on specific areas and later stage development, donations can help fund projects which might not get traditional funding. This includes work on rare cancers, early-stage development, and higher-risk projects.
I personally think it is also one of the most impactful gestures to honor someone we might have lost or who is now affected by cancer.

What would you like to say to someone who wants to start running but doesn’t know where to begin?

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – it might be a cliché, but this is how everyone started. Get yourself a pair of good shoes and make the time to walk/run a kilometer or two in an area you enjoy. Motivation will grow, and you will be able to cover more milage and become faster. It is very rewarding to see how the training pays off and you will feel great after most of the runs!

Do you have a quote / a proverb that inspires you?

“The ultimate goal of human life is to give it meaning” – This quote by Victor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, holds profound truth, regardless of the context in which we apply it. It speaks to the importance of finding something that makes everything worthwhile.

In my work that meaning comes from knowing that every molecule we study, holds the potential to help and maybe extend or save someone’s life. That sense of purpose is what drives me.

When it comes to running, I find a different kind of meaning. I can create a space to reconnect to myself, process my thoughts and find silence, but also resilience. Pushing through a tough run or enjoying a wonderful trail, running reminds me of the value of persistence and presence.

Which personality is inspiring to you, and why?

Like many runners I am deeply impressed by Terry Fox, the Canadian athlete who set out to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. As a young cancer patient himself, he undertook this incredible journey with a prosthetic leg, running a marathon every single day. His determination and courage have left a legacy, not only within the running community, but also for the broader fight against cancer.