Principal Investigator and Scientific Lead, BreastCancerPEP
Dr. Gabriela Ilie, PhD
Professor and Scientist in Cancer Quality of Life Research
Principal Investigator and Scientific Lead, BreastCancerPEP
Scientific Lead, Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP)
Dr. Gabriela Ilie is a Professor in the Departments of Community Health and Epidemiology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. She is the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine Endowed Scientist in Prostate Cancer Quality of Life, an Affiliate Scientist with Nova Scotia Health, and a Scientist with the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute.
Dr. Ilie initiated and leads the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP), CancerPEP, Pictou County PEP, and BreastCancerPEP, together with the scientific, clinical, research, and community teams supporting these initiatives.
Her research focuses on cancer survivorship, quality of life, psychosocial oncology, health behaviour change, and the development and implementation of supportive care interventions designed to help people live well during and after cancer.
Dr. Ilie is a three-time endowed Chair holder, recipient of the 2024 Nova Scotia Public Impact Award, and co-recipient, with Dr. Rob Rutledge, of the 2025 Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology Innovation Award.
She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, with research appearing in journals including European Urology, JAMA, BMJ Open, Psycho-Oncology, and the American Journal of Men’s Health. She regularly presents her research at national and international scientific meetings and is deeply involved in public education and community outreach.
Clinical Lead, BreastCancerPEP
Associate Professor and Radiation Oncologist
Clinical Lead, BreastCancerPEP and PC-PEP
Dr. Rob Rutledge is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Dalhousie University and a Radiation Oncologist with Nova Scotia Health at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
He has cared for people affected by cancer for more than 30 years, with extensive clinical experience in breast cancer, as well as prostate and pediatric cancers.
Dr. Rutledge serves as Clinical Lead for the Patient Empowerment Programs, working closely with Dr. Ilie and the broader PEP team to integrate clinical knowledge, supportive care, patient education, and practical strategies for living well during and after cancer.
He is the co-recipient, with Dr. Ilie, of the 2025 Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology Innovation Award, recognizing their leadership and innovation in psychosocial oncology and cancer survivorship care.
Over the past three decades, Dr. Rutledge has also dedicated himself to public education and community support for people affected by cancer. He has delivered free public talks and webinars and has organized and led more than 60 weekend retreats across approximately 30 cities, along with numerous healing seminars for patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
Dr. Rutledge has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, with work appearing in journals including European Urology, The Lancet, Psycho-Oncology, Cancers, Current Oncology, and the American Journal of Men’s Health.
Research Coordinators and Assistants
Research Coordinators and Assistants
Our BreastCancerPEP research coordinators and assistants support the day-to-day coordination, implementation, and delivery of the study.
They work closely with the Principal Investigator, Clinical Lead, collaborators, research staff, and participants to help ensure that the study is conducted with care, accuracy, consistency, and respect for the participant experience.
Their work includes participant communication, screening and enrolment, study documentation, REDCap coordination and tracking, follow-up reminders, data quality checks, and coordination of study procedures.
They also help ensure that participants receive timely information and support throughout their involvement in BreastCancerPEP.
Current Team
Lola Riley
Research Administrative Coordinator
Jordan Cole
Research Administrative Coordinator
Will Carruthers
Research Assistant
Sarah Taylor
Research Administrative Coordinator
bcpep.org 