Claire Hollingsworth
Massey mentor: Priscilla Hwang, PhD
CURE research focus: Metastasis to bone marrow is a major cause of death in breast cancer patients, and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) play a key role in this process. This project investigates whether mechanical loading via fluid shear alters the BMSC secretome in a way that reduces breast cancer cell migration. We hypothesize that conditioned media from BMSCs exposed to oscillatory fluid flow will slow cancer cell migration, offering insight into potential therapeutic strategies.
Gloria Eyong Ayuk 
Massey mentor: Henbin Wang, PhD
CURE research focus: Study of stress hormones, Norepinephrine, and Hydrocortisone treatment on cancer cells for alterations in the expression levels of Ring 1 and Ring 2 proteins. These proteins are part of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1, which controls the gene silencing process in cells, which is a crucial process in cancer cell development. This study investigates the time-dependent effect of these hormones on breast and ovarian cell lines.
Jaiden Murray
Massey mentor: Larisa Litovchick, PhD
CURE research focus: Ovarian cancer often recurs after platinum-based chemotherapy, with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) like chondroitin 4-sulfate linked to tumor growth and drug resistance. This study shows that knockout of GAG-synthesizing enzymes XYLT1 and XYLT2 in ES2 ovarian cancer cells reduces tumor growth, ascites formation, and overall disease progression in a mouse model. These findings suggest GAGs as potential therapeutic targets in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Lauren Rosa 
Massey mentor: Paula Bos, PhD
CURE research focus: Understanding the function of neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular trap (NETs) in brain metastasis and their contribution towards the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM).
Kaycie Harden 
Massey mentor: Chuck Harrell, PhD
CURE research focus: Defining the Mechanisms of Action of Sacituzumab Govitecan in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Tristan Blanco 
Massey mentor: Can Senkal, PhD
CURE research focus: The effects of Sphingolipids in Ferroptosis
2024 CURE participants
Anabel A.
Senior, Virginia Commonwealth University
Massey mentor: Paula Bos, Ph.D.
CURE research focus: Role of Treg cells in mammary gland development
Arinze E.
Sophomore, Virginia State University
Massey mentor: Can Senkal, Ph.D.
CURE research focus: Ferroptosis as a mode of treatment for metastatic cancer
Oniya S.
Junior, Virginia Commonwealth University
Massey mentor: Chuck Harrell, Ph.D.
CURE research focus: Defining cytotoxic profiles of National Cancer Institute CTEP agents on a set of breast cancer cells
Claire Z.
Senior, George Mason University
Massey mentor: Anthony Faber, Ph.D.
CURE research focus: MYCN and transcription factors in neuroblastoma
Fatimah A.
Sophomore, VCU
Massey mentor: Jose Trevino, M.D., FACS
CURE research focus: Quality of life in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
Makenzie J.
Senior, College of William & Mary
Massey mentor: Victoria Findlay, Ph.D.
CURE research focus: Effects of dietary advanced glycation end products on progressive tumor growth in prostate cancer models
Sandra M.
Senior, VCU
Massey mentor: Paula Bos, Ph.D.
CURE research focus: Observation of Treg cells and stem cells in the mammary gland to understand if there is cross-talk between these two populations
Christen P.
Senior, VCU
Massey mentor: Kristoffer Valerie, Ph.D.
CURE research focus: Co-expression of ATM kinase and PR65 as fusion proteins in E. coli and binding of serine-401 proteins to ATM kinase in order to form a heterodimeric protein complex