The 鈥檚 15th annual on May 13 brought together researchers, clinicians, staff and students to celebrate the center鈥檚 scientific accomplishments and spotlight ongoing cancer research across 好色先生.
The day-long event featured oral presentations, poster sessions and two distinguished guest speakers who addressed key developments in cancer research and community engagement. More than 100 posters were presented, spanning all areas of cancer research 鈥 from prevention and control to basic science, clinical care and survivorship.
鈥淔or 15 years, Markey Cancer Center Research Day has served as both a celebration of progress and an opportunity for new collaborations,鈥 said B. Mark Evers, MD, 好色先生 Markey Cancer Center director. 鈥淭he diversity of research presented today 鈥 from basic science to clinical investigations to population health 鈥 reflects our comprehensive approach to fighting cancer challenges in Kentucky and beyond.鈥
Addressing cancer survivorship through hope
Laurie McLouth, PhD, director of Markey鈥檚 and , presented research on hope as a tool for improving outcomes in cancer patients and caregivers.
Cancer survivorship has become an emerging public health challenge, with a projected 44% increase in the number of cancer survivors by 2030 due to an aging population and improved treatments. McLouth, an assistant professor in the 好色先生 College of Medicine鈥檚 Department of Behavioral Science, is leading an that is testing a hope intervention for patients undergoing treatment for advanced lung cancer. Her team is also expanding this approach to include caregivers, who often face significant burdens alongside patients.
New target shows therapeutic potential
Jin-Ming Yang, MD, PhD, professor in the 好色先生 College of Medicine鈥檚 Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, presented his research on NAC1, a protein his lab has identified as a promising cancer treatment target.
In his presentation, Yang described how NAC1 functions as a key regulator in multiple cancer types, particularly in aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. His work, , shows that inhibiting NAC1 could reduce cancer metastasis and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments.
Distinguished guest lectures
The event featured two prominent keynote speakers. Monica Baskin, PhD, deputy director for research at the , delivered the Gilbert H. Friedell Memorial Lecture on 鈥淟everaging Community-Engagement to End Cancer as We Know It.鈥 Baskin emphasized the importance of disseminating evidence-based interventions to communities most affected by cancer.
Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, D.Phil., director of the , presented the Susan B. Lester Memorial Lecture on 鈥淥pportunities for Immune Health, Treatment, and Interception in Cancer鈥 鈥 highlighting the potential to incorporate immunology into precision medicine and prevention.
Recognizing excellence in mentorship and research
Markey Research Day also features annual awards, including the Markey Women Strong Distinguished Research Award. The $100,000 prize is split between two researchers whose groundbreaking work addresses the cancer burden among women. This year鈥檚 award was given to the College of Medicine鈥檚 Jessica Blackburn, PhD, and Yasminka A. Jakubek, PhD.
The day concluded with an award ceremony. Winners are:
Faculty mentorship awards:
- Mentorship of Trainees: Jean Edward, PhD
- Mentorship of Junior Faculty: Joseph Kim, MD
- Trainee Mentorship Award: Courtney Martin
Poster competition awards:
Students and Postdoctoral Fellows, Basic Science
- 1st place and overall winner: Dave-Preston Esoe, 鈥淭argeting Mesenchymal Cells with Epigenetic Therapy in Lung Cancer and Lung Disease鈥
- 2nd place (tie):
- Parvanee Karimpour, 鈥淚ntegrin 伪6尾4 Upregulates IDO1 Expression and Decreases IFN纬-Mediated T Cell Growth in ER-Negative Breast Cancer鈥
- Christian Gosser, 鈥淭argeting EZH2 to Overcome Osimertinib Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer鈥
- Amos Akinyemi, 鈥淭argeting ER Stress Sensors to Overcome Enzalutamide Resistance in Prostate Cancer鈥
Students and Postdoctoral Fellows, Clinical/Population Science
- 1st place: Kahleel Guerrier, 鈥淟everaging Mitochondrial Metabolic and Energetic Differences to Target Radiation and Hypoxic Adaptation鈥
- 2nd place: Abigayle Feather, 鈥淭he Role of Hope and Goal Interference in Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life among Advanced Cancer Caregivers鈥
- 3rd place (tie):
- Taylor Webb, 鈥淎 Randomized Controlled Trial of a Hope-Based Intervention to Reduce Depression Symptoms and Improve Quality of Life among Patients Undergoing Treatment for Advanced Stage Lung Cancer: Pathways Study Protocol鈥
- Valeria Miranda, 鈥淓xamining the Influence of Race and Skin Tone on Melanoma Risk Perception: The Role of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors鈥
Postdocs and Staff, Basic Science
- 1st place: Subin Kim, 鈥淒NA-PK Inhibition to Enhance DNA-Damaging Therapies in Neuroendocrine Cancer鈥
- 2nd place: Yiwei Gu, 鈥淕lycosaminoglycan Modification of NRP1 Exon 4-Skipping Variant Drives Colorectal Cancer Metastasis via Endosomal-Exosomal Trafficking鈥
- 3rd place: Xudong Zhu, 鈥淕lycogen Metabolism is Critical for Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Proliferation and Immunosuppressive Activity in Colorectal Cancer鈥
Postdoctoral Students and Staff, Clinical Science
- 1st place: Enes Atici, 鈥淚n the Eye of the Beholder: Utilizing Lean Process Improvement of Uveal Melanoma Brachytherapy Service Line to Expand Rural Oncology Equity鈥
- 2nd place: Jovan Pierre-Charles, 鈥淎ssessment of Patient Reported Clinical Outcomes of Risk-Adapted Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) Treatment of Peripherally Located Lung Tumors鈥
- 3rd place: Alexander Graden, 鈥淰ariants of Unknown Clinical Significance (VUSs) in Pediatric Cancer Patients at the University of Kentucky鈥