May 1, 2025:
Right: Roberto Benzo, PhD Left: David Cella, PhD
The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Foundation announces that Roberto Benzo, PhD, of The Ohio State University, and David Cella, PhD, of Northwestern University, have been awarded the $65,000 Kenneth and Verna Mae Jessen Award for their research proposal, “Development of a Digital Intervention to Promote Cardiovascular Health in Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Cardio-Oncology Approach.”
The project was one of 21 proposals submitted for funding consideration through an RFP announced by the Big Ten CRC in late 2024. Proposals were reviewed by a committee of Big Ten CRC leaders and peer investigators, chaired by Kari Wisinski, MD, of the University of Wisconsin.
Drs. Benzo and Cella are collaborating on this study with Peter Washington, PhD, of the University of California San Francisco. Co-investigators at The Ohio State University include Steven K. Clinton, MD, PhD; Adam Potter, MD, PhD; and Soledad Fernandez, PhD.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of non-cancer mortality among cancer survivors, particularly those with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy, which significantly increases cardiovascular risk. Despite these known risks, there are no widely adopted digital solutions to proactively monitor cardiovascular health and guide tailored interventions in this vulnerable population.
The proposed project seeks to develop and evaluate a mobile health intervention, “mHealthy Hearts,” to enhance cardiovascular health monitoring and promote physical activity engagement among prostate cancer survivors.
The Big Ten CRC Foundation established the Kenneth and Verna Mae Jessen Award to support basic, correlative, clinical, or population science oncology research based at a Big Ten CRC institution. The award is made possible through the generous support of the Verna Mae Jessen Trust.
The Jessen family’s passion for oncology research stems from their long history with cancer. Several members of the family, including Kenneth, Verna Mae, and two of their siblings fought battles with cancer.
“Our family recognizes the great strides already made and the importance of continuing to fund cancer research,” said Tom Jensen, nephew of Kenneth and Verna Mae Jessen and administrator of the Verna Mae Jessen Trust.
About the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium: The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium was created in 2013 to transform the conduct of cancer research through collaborative clinical trials and observational studies that seek to improve the lives of cancer patients in the diverse communities we serve by leveraging the scientific and clinical expertise of Big Ten universities. The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium creates a unique team research culture to drive science rapidly from ideas to treatment and prevention. Within this innovative environment, today’s research leaders collaborate with and mentor the research leaders of tomorrow. Since its founding, the Big Ten CRC has activated nearly 40 clinical trials across a wide range of cancer types, more than 1,000 participants have enrolled in Big Ten CRC studies, and more than 500 researchers have joined Big Ten CRC Clinical Trial Working Groups.
About the Big Ten Conference: The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 18 Big Ten institutions provide direct financial support for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.
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