April 30, 2025:
In this month’s Across the Consortium, the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium spotlights advancements in colorectal cancer research, collaborative efforts in prostate cancer studies, recent research grant recipients, new podcast episodes, lung cancer research and prevention initiatives, brain cancer discoveries, leadership transitions, and the critical role of clinical trials.
University of Illinois Cancer Center
UI Health surgeon Gerald Gantt, Jr., who specializes in the treatment of colon and rectal cancers, was featured on radio and TV shows in Chicago and Wisconsin during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March. In Chicago, the WVON Morning Show with Rufus Williams featured an extended conversation with him about screening and prevention.
Cancer Center at Illinois
For most of us, ecology is external—something we simply admire on road trips and hiking expeditions. For Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) member Christopher Gaulke and his research team, however, the most fascinating kind of ecosystem resides inside of us, as we are each hosts to trillions of microorganisms living inside our body’s microbiome. Though the human body can house microbes in many locations, the gut microbiome is what interests Gaulke and his team, as it holds important implications for various diseases and gastrointestinal cancers.
Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Fierce athletic rivals Purdue and Indiana universities have joined forces to claim a victory that far transcends sports. Together, these Big Ten universities have propelled Pluvicto™ — a therapy invented by Philip Low of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) — from the lab into the lives of patients battling advanced prostate cancer.
University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
Three early-career scientists have each been awarded a one-year, $40,000 American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant through University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. These seed grants help junior faculty members and independent research scientists start their careers in cancer research and provide funds to explore new ideas related to the cause, prevention, and treatment of cancer.
University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center
Cancer Center Director Taofeek Kunle Owonikoko, spoke on an episode of The Cancer Letter Podcast, titled, “The Directors: Louis Weiner and Taofeek Owonikoko on keeping up morale amid uncertainty.” In this episode, he recalled recent conversations with two junior faculty members at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center.
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Four Rogel Cancer Center members earned election to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2024. They are among 13 from the University of Michigan to be elected this year. The AAAS, the world’s largest general scientific society, announced 471 members of the 2024 class, elected for their “efforts on behalf of the advancement of science, or its applications, are scientifically or socially distinguished.”
Michigan State University Breslin Cancer Center
Four dedicated researchers from Michigan State University have received grants totaling more than $3 million from the American Cancer Society, or ACS, to find new ways to prevent, detect, treat and help patients survive colorectal, breast and cervical cancer.
Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
The Masonic Cancer Center (MCC), University of Minnesota has been committed to advancing cancer research and education to improve health outcomes across all communities. As the center continues to evolve and grow, so do their collaborations with Minnesota’s communities. They have announced a new partnership with Positive Image, an organization dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of Black communities through education, advocacy, and access to resources! Together, they’ll be putting on a multi-event series throughout 2025 specifically focused on Black men’s health, called “Power Over Cancer.”
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center (University of Nebraska)
The University of Nebraska System has released the newest episode of its “Heart to Heart” podcast series. Hosted by University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, the podcast features in-depth conversations with leaders, researchers, educators, alums and partners who are making a difference in Nebraska and beyond. In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC.
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
Northwestern Medicine scientists have uncovered how a testis-specific protein contributes to tumor growth and progression in lung cancer, according to a study published in Science Advances. Previous research in the laboratory of Lu Wang, PhD, assistant professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and co-senior author of the study, found that the transcription elongation factor BRDT was overexpressed in lung cancer.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Researchers have found that targeting an enzyme called PGM3 can help stop the growth of glioblastoma, the most dangerous type of brain tumor. This enzyme plays a vital role in the hexosamine synthesis pathway, which is involved in the processes of protein and lipid glycosylation that allow tumors to rapidly grow. Lipid glycosylation is a process where sugar molecules attach to fats (lipids) in the body.
Penn State Cancer Institute
Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a new rule to limit nicotine in cigarettes and certain other tobacco products, like cigars and pipe tobacco, bringing nicotine down to minimal or nonaddictive levels. If finalized, this change would be a major step in addressing the public health concerns of smoking and tobacco use in the United States.
Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research
Purdue University scientists have identified the Supinoxin small-molecule drug as a possible new therapy for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). “Some cancer types are incredibly difficult to treat, one of them being small-cell lung cancer,” said Elizabeth Tran, professor of biochemistry in the College of Agriculture. Usually associated with smokers, SCLC accounts for only 15% of all lung cancer types. Despite the low percentage, SCLC causes about 250,000 deaths worldwide annually.
Rutgers Cancer Institute Of New Jersey
After a national search, RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, have appointed H. John Pounardjian, MBA as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Deputy Director for Administration and Planning. Pounardjian will take over for Linda Tanzer who will be retiring after 30 years in the position.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (University of Washington)
In 2023, the Rivkin Center partnered with the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund to fund $1 million in grants for research institutions in Washington state to unlock answers in ovarian cancer. This year, researchers Megan Shen, PhD, and Mary L. “Nora” Disis, MD, of Fred Hutch Cancer Center and UW Medicine respectively, have each been recently awarded $300,000 in grants under the Rivkin Center and CARE Fund partnership for projects that aim to improve outcomes of the disease. On April 1, the Rivkin Center merged with the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.
University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center
Early phase clinical trials play a crucial role in developing new cancer treatments, creating the bridge that takes promising lab discoveries into human study. Phase I trials, the earliest stage of clinical studies, have historically been used to evaluate safe dosages of new treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation. Later phases of clinical trials would evaluate how effective those approaches are in treating cancer.
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.
In this month’s Across the Consortium, get to know some the cancer investigators in the Big Ten, what doctoral candidates and graduate students are researching, what publications and accolades have been shared with Big Ten researchers, and more.
In this edition of Across the Consortium, the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium highlights cancer research ranging from scientists studying links between high cholesterol and breast cancer recurrence to “brain fog” and cognitive dysfunction after chemotherapy. We also share a study on the use of a robotic breast surgery option that may result in improved cosmetic outcomes without compromising cancer control, and how social media is influencing parents’ decisions about whether their children will or will not get the HPV Vaccine. Explore these studies, new appointments, publications, and other general news across the Big Ten CRC.
In this edition of Across the Consortium, we highlight researchers who are exploring cellular function as it relates to cancer, including drug molecules and genetic mutation, and those who are looking to the physical traits of the mantis shrimp to enhance removal of cancer cells during surgery. We also recognize investigators that are taking on new leadership roles and starting new programs to provide more comprehensive care at their cancer center, and highlight an oncology nurse as part of Nursing Oncology Month. Discover what is happening across the Big Ten CRC.
Researchers across the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium are shedding light on new discoveries that could improve the health and lives of many in years to come through a host of precision medicine strategies. From boosting mitochondrial function in a subpopulation of T cells to analyzing vast amounts of data in populations, and synthesizing a rare compound found in a Native America shrub to combat a protein found in many cancers, these researchers are covering all the bases to make a difference. Learn about them and other investigators on the move in this issue of Across the Consortium.
In this month’s Across the Consortium, the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium highlights current research, innovations, appointments, publications, and general news across member institutions. 
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