Alyssa's connection to the cancer community began at an early age through various volunteer avenues, including volunteering in the cancer center at Credit Valley Hospital. With a desire to pursue a career in the field of medicine she obtained her BSc in Biochemistry from Eastern Michigan University. During her time at EMU she was a varsity rower and an active advocate and volunteer with the American Cancer Society. Upon completion of her BSc, Alyssa moved back to Toronto and worked as a clinical assistant to an orthopaedic surgeon, an effort to gain hands-on clinical experience. She resumed volunteer efforts with the Canadian Cancer Society at local events and once again began picking up volunteer shifts at Credit Valley Hospital. During this time Alyssa got the rather shocking diagnosis of stage II triple-negative breast cancer. She underwent a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments, all at the very same cancer center where she had been volunteering for years. This diagnosis prompted a shift in career plans for Alyssa and she quickly quit her job and moved to Hamilton, where she would begin her MSc studies at McMaster University.

Alyssa completed her MSc at McMaster University in 2015 in the department of chemistry and chemical biology. Her thesis work focused on the development of molecular imaging probes for breast cancer. This work gave her an insight into the diagnostic side of cancer research, but only served to probe her curiosity for expanded research interests. She is currently pursuing her PhD in the lab of Dr. Karen Mossman in the department of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at McMaster University. Her PhD work focuses on novel immunotherapies for triple-negative breast cancer.

Alyssa remains an active advocate for the Canadian Cancer Society through speaking engagements, advocacy, volunteering at local events and through her leadership as the chair for the Hamilton RIOT team.