I focus on prostate cancer and investigating novel molecular mechanisms to understand how tumors evade the conventional androgen deprivation therapy 鈥� the process that makes prostate cancer the second deadliest cancer in men. In specific, I look at the nuclear function of mTOR, a major regulator of cell growth, and how it works with androgen receptors to co-regulate gene transcription in prostate cancer development.
My research will contribute to develop new therapeutics for patients facing castration resistant prostate cancer through identifying new targets in the pathway that allow tumors to bypass androgen deprivation therapy.
As an international student from China, I extremely value any opportunity to receive an award, as there are very limited resources. This award will not only support me through the third year of my PhD studies but will also help me in the process of applying for future fundings for my project. Receiving the Charlotte and Leo Karassik Foundation Oncology Fellowship has been a great encouragement in my academic career, motivating me to continuing being involved broadly in the cancer research community 鈥� dedicating all my efforts to bring my research project to a successful conclusion and pursuing graduate student-led initiatives to help raise fund in the long journey to better understand and cure cancer.
Congratulations to Stephanie听(Lingwei) Han for receiving this fellowship, and thank you to the听Charlotte and Leo Karassik Foundation for funding prostate cancer research through their generous donations.