During National Cancer Research Month, we learn more about the critical role researchers play in the treatment and curing of cancer and other life-threatening diseases. More than ever, the need for innovative and curious minds to join the fight and enter into the field of disease and cancer research grows. This month we are spotlighting FAITH Scholars who are contributing to the continued advancements in therapies, life-saving discoveries and treatments on their campuses and beyond.
Anastasia G. 2018 FAITH Scholar; Biochemistry, New College of Florida
Over the summer, Anastasia studied EGFR mutation cell lines for non-small cell lung cancer in the research department at the Moffitt Cancer Center and then returned to campus and joined a research project studying epigenetic markers and their use in cancer detection. While balancing leadership roles in the pre-med club and HEAL Clinical Education Network, Anastasia assisted in cellular biology lab, tutored and helped her campus collect data to determine COVID-19's spread. She is pursuing a master's in biomedical sciences with a focus in immunology and genomics.
Peter J. 2019 FAITH Scholar; Biomedical Science, Ohio State University
As a research assistant in the pathology lab, Peter studied the molecular mechanisms of oral carcinogenesis as well as the use of black raspberry-mediated oral chemoprevention. He is co-president of the Biomedical Science Student Organization, tutors high school students, is active in Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) and chairs the executive board of Sigma, an organization serving over 100 Greek and Orthodox students. Peter is pursuing a MD-PhD with minors in Greek and Spanish.
Joanna P. 2020 FAITH Scholar; Biochemistry, University of Pennsylvania
As an intern in the National Institute of Health’s pediatric oncology lab, Joanna studied hyaluronidase in the role of stopping cell proliferation and accentuating chemotherapy treatment in pancreatic tumor cells. She also interned in the immungenetics lab in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia studying the Human Leukocyte Antigen region of the human genome. She researches bone marrow failure in the hematology lab and volunteers at the VA Medical Center‘s oncology department. She is Hellenic Club president, volunteers with the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project and mentors high school science fair students. She is an aspiring biomedical researcher.
Ashley S. 2018 FAITH Scholar, Biomedical Engineering, Trine University
Graduating with an additional concentration in research, Ashley attended the REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program with her university and worked on projects including the creation of a lung vasculature on-a-chip device in order to model a tumor microenvironment, kidney microfluidic modeling for renal cancer research and 3-D printing of polymer uterus models for use by Trine’s Physician Assistant department. Along with interning at St. Vincent Hospital in the engineering department, she played on the tennis team and was active in OCF, Engineering Honor Society and the Society of Biomedical Engineers.