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In the lab of , great science and great mentorship are inseparable. 鈥淚n a scientific setting, using diverse approaches is always considered a strength,鈥 says Roh-Johnson, investigator, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the (the U) and associate professor of biochemistry at the School of Medicine. 鈥淒iversity and high-quality science are intertwined.鈥
Now, up to $250,000 in federal funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has made that philosophy concrete.
The is an administrative supplement to recognize excellence in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility mentorship, specifically 鈥渟cientists who have demonstrated compelling commitments and contributions to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the biomedical sciences.鈥
Under the Programs to Enhance Diversity (PED) component of the National Cancer Institute鈥檚 Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), Huntsman Cancer Institute is tasked with developing programs, initiatives, and infrastructure to enhance the participation of underrepresented populations in the research workforce and cancer center leadership by supporting career-enhancing opportunities for faculty, staff, and learners from all backgrounds.
鈥淭his recognition from the National Cancer Institute not only honors Dr. Minna Roh-Johnson鈥檚 commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility but also significantly advances our understanding of cancer biology, which is central to Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 mission,鈥 says Gita Suneja, MD, senior director of Programs to Enhance Diversity and a radiation oncologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of radiation oncology at the U. 鈥淭his work exemplifies our dedication to fostering an inclusive research environment that drives innovation and ultimately improves health outcomes for all communities we serve.鈥
鈥淭his recognition from the National Cancer Institute not only honors Dr. Minna Roh-Johnson鈥檚 commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility but also significantly advances our understanding of cancer biology, which is central Huntsman Institute鈥檚 mission. This work exemplifies dedication fostering an inclusive research environment that drives innovation ultimately improves health outcomes for all communities we serve.鈥
鈥擥ita Suneja, MD
Advancing Cancer Research
While the award recognizes excellence in DEIA mentorship, the funds are used mostly to continue Roh-Johnson鈥檚 research at Huntsman Cancer Institute. The premise is that commitment to diversity initiatives and community enhancement takes a lot of time, and investigators are being rewarded for providing that commitment.
Specifically, her study aims to learn what triggers cancer cells to divide more than they should. Roh Johnson and her team are looking at macrophages, a type of immune cell that plays a significant role in breast cancer progression and are a key component of the tumor microenvironment.
Previous research in the found that immune cells can trigger cancer cell division by offloading some of their own mitochondria into the cancer cell. Surprisingly, the extra don鈥檛 seem to be boosting cancer growth by providing more energy. Instead, they produce other chemicals that cancer cells interpret as a signal to divide.
Figuring out how and why this happens is a main focus of the funded research. Tay Stevens, in biochemistry at the U, is interested in what鈥檚 going on with the mitochondrial donor cell. Does it have to be a specific kind of immune cell to trigger cancer progression, or will mitochondria transferred from other cells have the same effect? , graduate researcher in biochemistry at the U, aims to figure out what鈥檚 happening in the tumor cell itself that increases cancer aggressiveness. Answering these questions could reveal new targets to slow or halt cancer progression.
鈥淧eople come from different backgrounds, different relationships, different communities, and we all come together as one to advance science.鈥
鈥擳ay Stevens
鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to give back. Who knows where a future student will come from or what backgrounds and life experiences they have? But because our lab puts that at the forefront, they鈥檒l know that they鈥檙e welcome as they are.鈥
鈥擭oah Bressler
Building Scientific Community
The award will fund the lab鈥檚 research directly, provide support to Huntsman Cancer Institute and to 91麻豆天美直播 (U of U Health) more broadly, and support two initiatives to improve scientific mentorship and community: the (SACNAS) and the Graduate Student Rising Stars program at the U.
As the recipients see it, the award鈥檚 multiple funding outputs acknowledge the link between good science and good science mentorship.
鈥淥ur lab really embodies not only diversity in background but diversity of thought,鈥 Stevens says. 鈥淲hen researchers bring multiple perspectives, knowledge bases, and goals to the table, they help each other find creative new ways of thinking about tough problems. It helps round you out as both a scientist and an individual because you鈥檙e taking home more than you think.鈥
As an officer for SACNAS, Stevens is an expert on the benefits that come with a strong scientific community. SACNAS organizes both career development opportunities and social events for scientists from all backgrounds. 鈥淲e鈥檙e building a community where you can not only interact with people like you but also people who are not like you,鈥 Stevens explains. 鈥淧eople come from different backgrounds, different relationships, different communities, and we all come together as one to advance science.鈥
While SACNAS aims to connect researchers across a broad swath of career stages, the other program funded by the grant, the Graduate Student Rising Stars program, specifically targets graduate students nearing the end of their PhD. Researchers from across the country come to U of U Health to share their work and make connections.
It鈥檚 great for the students and the university, according to Roh-Johnson. Top-notch graduate researchers get a stellar professional development opportunity and an impressive line on their CV. They also get an introduction to the research environment at U of U Health, which helps the university recruit some of the best scientists in the country as future post-docs.
鈥淭he diversity initiatives that have been run and will hopefully continue to run at this institution help everybody. It helps our community be a better scientific community. Dollars don鈥檛 lie. The university benefits financially when we simply do the right thing.鈥
鈥擬inna Roh-Johnson, PhD
Making Science for Everyone
Bressler explains that the addition of expertise from many sources is one reason inclusion in science is so important. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e gatekeeping or when certain people are excluded, you鈥檙e missing out on knowledge and experience,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 was really drawn to this lab for that reason.鈥
He looks forward to paying it forward as a research mentor, he adds. 鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to give back. Who knows where a future student will come from or what backgrounds and life experiences they have? But because our lab puts that at the forefront, they鈥檒l know that they鈥檙e welcome as they are.鈥
鈥淭he diversity initiatives that have been run and will hopefully continue to run at this institution help everybody,鈥 Roh-Johnson says. 鈥淚t helps our community be a better scientific community.鈥 The fact that part of the award funds will go to the university shows that such an approach is practical as well as ethical, she adds. 鈥淒ollars don鈥檛 lie. The university benefits financially when we simply do the right thing.鈥
Given the tough problems scientists aim to solve, Stevens adds, building a strong scientific community that includes all people is a necessity. 鈥淓veryone is welcome because we need everyone.鈥
These programs are organized as part of a federally funded grant (). Roh-Johnson鈥檚 research is also funded by grant P30 CA042014 through the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, as well as by Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 581-3194
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to advance cancer treatments of the future beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient鈥檚 unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.