“Large scale functional examination of PIK3CA variants and PI3K inhibitor sensitivity in breast cancer”
Dr. Vasan plans to develop a mutational scanning platform to measure the functional and therapeutic impact of all single amino acid PIK3CA variants. Such a compendium would provide a roadmap to guide current and future treatment strategies for patients with breast cancer and other tumor types. 

“NEW PARADIGM Breast Cancer in Black Women”
Dr. Houghton’s mixed-method project will explore the potential of the full steroid metabolome, which includes metabolic components typically thought of as “stress” and “male” hormones, to independently predict early-onset breast cancer in Black and white women. She will also interview Black women to understand their perspective of using biomarkers in cancer screening. 

“Real World Integration of Liquid Biopsy Cancer Tests into Gastrointestinal Cancer Early Detection”
Dr. Hur and collaborators aim to use innovative deployment of simulation modeling and data-driven investigation to inform the utilization of liquid biopsy tests for cancer early detection and control. In particular, the study will analyze the potential integration of liquid biopsy testing for colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer screening in the context of endoscopic screening and surveillance.

“Targeting Metabolic Liabilities Induced by AURKA Inhibition in Glioblastoma”
Dr. Siegelin aims to investigate whether the anabolic tumor cell metabolism of glioblastomas is regulated through Aurora kinase A (AURKA), an enzyme that shows significantly higher expression in cancer tissues than in normal control tissues for multiple tumor types. The results will provide further biological insight of the underlying molecular pathways involved in glioblastoma, which may facilitate combination treatment strategies involving AURKA inhibition.