2023 Graduate Student Pelotonia Scholars
Learn more about the graduate students who received a scholarship award in the Fall of 2023.
Fall 2023 Graduate Student Pelotonia Scholars
Nadeen Anabtawi, PharmD
Award Cycle: Fall 2023
Major: Pharmaceutical Sciences
Project: Transport-mediated mechanisms of hematological toxicity associated with decitabine
Mentor: Sharyn Baker, PharmD, PhD
Idea Inspiration: I am passionate about improving cancer treatments to reduce side effects and enhance patient outcomes.
Britten Gordon, BS
Award Cycle: Fall 2023
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Project: NW775, A first-in-class dual reversible/irreversible BTK inhibitor for the treatment of BTKi-resistant chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Mentor: Jennifer Woyach, MD
Idea Inspiration: I have had multiple family members who have suffered and fought various cancers.
Jacob Holter, BS, MS
Award Cycle: Fall 2023
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Project: The effects of hyaluronan and breast cancer-associated fibroblasts on engineered initial lymphatics
Mentor: Jonathan Song, PhD
Idea Inspiration: Leveraging engineering-based models can provide insight into how lymphatic metastasis unfolds, and ultimately stop cancer in its tracks.
Matthew McPherson, MS
Award Cycle: Fall 2023
Major: Molecular Genetics
Project: tRNA nuclear/cytoplasmic dynamics; a novel mechanism for RNA regulation and quality control
Mentor: Anita Hopper, PhD
Idea Inspiration: I want to understand how molecules move throughout the cell and how this movement regulates proper cell function.
Himanshu Savardekar, PhD
Award Cycle: Fall 2023
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Project: BRD4 inhibition leads to MDSC apoptosis and enhances immune checkpoint blockade.
Mentor: William Carson, MD
Idea Inspiration: I chose cancer research to help make immune therapies effective for all patients, turning non-responders into responders.
Spring 2023 Graduate Student Pelotonia Scholars
Brendan Fuller
Award Cycle: Spring 2023
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Project: Measuring driver kinase activity of cancer cells in 3-dimensional extracellular matrices
Mentor: Jonathan Song, PhD
Idea Inspiration: I want to use my expertise in biomedical engineering to design unique models to better understand the complexities of cancer biology.
Kyeongmin Kim, PharmD, MS
Award Cycle: Spring 2023
Major: Pharmaceutical Science
Project: Translating from mouse to human a predictive outcomes model for immune checkpoint therapy.
Mentor: Mitch Phelps, PhD
Idea Inspiration: I pursue cancer research focused on understanding variability in response to therapy, for improved treatment success and patient outcomes.
Luke Scarberry
Award Cycle: Spring 2023
Major: Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
Project: p31 comet: a master regulator of genomic stability
Mentor: Matthew Summers, PhD
Idea Inspiration: I want to understand better the mechanisms of genomic instability in cancer to lead to better therapies.
Vaishnavi Sidharthan, MS
Award Cycle: Spring 2023
Major: Biochemistry
Project: Exploring inhibition of RNase P, a catalytic ribonucleoprotein, as a potential anti-cancer strategy.
Mentor: Venkat Gopalan, PhD
Idea Inspiration: To provide an innovative method to treat cancer and contribute towards the healthcare industry.