OCRA’s 2024 Grantees: Mentored Investigator Grants
OCRA’s 2024 Mentored Investigator Grants are supporting fresh perspectives and approaches to end ovarian and related gynecologic cancers. This year’s grants are awarded to 5 exceptional young researchers who are conducting promising studies under the mentorship of leaders in the gynecologic cancer field.
“OCRA’s Mentored Investigators exemplify the innovative spirit and dedication needed to make breakthroughs in this challenging field,” says Audra Moran, OCRA’s President & CEO. “Their new ideas, carried out with support from experts in cancer research, hold incredible potential for discovery.”
Dr. Martins Ayoola-Adeola, University of California Los Angeles
▶ Using chemically-engineered nanotraps to mitigate surgery-induced inflammation and reduce the chances of ovarian cancer metastasis. Dr. Ayoola-Adeola’s study is made possible in part by a generous donation from Ovarian Cycle Tampa in loving memory of Franci Golman Rudolph and Suzanne Maloney.
Dr. Whitney Grither, Washington University in St. Louis
▶ Understanding the interaction between ovarian tumor cells and mesothelial cells in the abdominal cavity in order to identify therapeutic targets and block the spread of ovarian cancer.
Dr. Nicole Gull, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
▶ Uncovering immune cell differences that may affect response to treatment, in pursuit of personalized therapies to enhance immune activity and ultimately improve outcomes.
Dr. MacLean Sellars, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
▶ Identifying novel antigens with the goal of finding new targets for vaccine and cellular immunotherapy, and more effective treatments for ovarian cancer. Dr. Sellars’ study is made possible by a generous donation from Li-An Yeh.
Dr. Mona Singh, Medical College of Wisconsin
▶ Investigating subsets of B cells and their dynamics in the tumor microenvironment, in order to reveal new therapeutic targets and strategies in the fight against ovarian cancer. Dr. Singh’s study is made possible in part by generous donations from Ovarian Cycle Massapequa, in memory of Diane Mahlstadt, and The Donald R. and Esther Simon Foundation.
Your support helps OCRA-funded researchers break new ground in the fight against ovarian and related gynecologic cancers. Fund critical discoveries with a gift today.