Advances in cancer science showcased at Markey Research Day
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 15, 2026) — More than 120 poster presentations and a full day of lectures, oral abstracts and networking brought together researchers, clinicians, trainees and staff May 13 for the 16th annual Markey Cancer Center Research Day at the University of Kentucky.
The event spanned the full spectrum of cancer science, including prevention, early detection, basic laboratory research, clinical care and survivorship. It also recognized outstanding work by students, postdoctoral fellows and research staff.
“Research Day remains one of the most meaningful days of the year for our cancer center, and it is an opportunity to step back from the pace of our work and reflect on the progress we are making,” said UK Markey Cancer Center Director B. Mark Evers, M.D. “Bringing together our own researchers alongside distinguished colleagues from across the country fosters the kind of collaboration that moves cancer research forward.”
Distinguished keynote lectures
Two keynote speakers addressed key developments in cancer research and community engagement. Carmen E. Guerra, M.D., associate director of community outreach and engagement at the Abramson Cancer Center and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, delivered the Gilbert H. Friedell Memorial Lecture, titled “Centering Community in Cancer Research.” Anil K. Rustgi, M.D., director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University, presented the Susan B. Lester Memorial Lecture on mutant p53 and tumor metastasis.
Featured presentations were given by Markey’s Jessica Burris, Ph.D., co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program, on smoking cessation in cancer survivors, and by Yi Zheng, Ph.D., Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, on targeting Rho family proteins in cancer therapy.
Recognizing excellence in research
Markey Research Day also features annual awards, including the Markey Women Strong Distinguished Research Award. Presented by the Markey Cancer Foundation, the $100,000 prize is split between two researchers whose groundbreaking work addresses the cancer burden among women. This year’s award was given to Denise Fabian, M.D., UK College of Medicine, and Ni Su, Ph.D., UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering.
Mentorship awards:
- Faculty Research Mentorship Award, Mentorship of Trainees: Samuel Awuah, Ph.D.
- Faculty Research Mentorship Award, Mentorship of Junior Faculty: Laurie McLouth, Ph.D.
- Trainee Research Mentorship Award: Amos Olalekan Akinyemi, Ph.D.
Poster competition awards:
Overall winner: Cheng Zhang, “The Role of USP21 in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)”
Students and Postdoctoral Fellows, Basic Science
- 1st place: Oluwaseyi Omodiminiyi, “Improving Chemotherapy Efficacy Through Innate Immune Rescue”
- 2nd place: Christian Gosser, “Inhibition of EZH2 Sensitizes Osimertinib Resistant Cancer to Osimertinib Overcoming Multiple Resistance Mechanisms”
- 3rd place: Fatemeh Seilani, “Plk1–BRN2 Signaling Axis Drives Lineage Plasticity in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer”
Students and Postdoctoral Fellows, Clinical/Population Science
- 1st place: Elizabeth Ruschman, “Evaluating the Accessibility of Oncofertility Preservation and Related Information for Cancer Patients Across NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers”
- 2nd place (tie): Michael Schlueter, “Are Younger Patients Considered? Age-Focused Design and Geographic Access in Colorectal Cancer Trials for Appalachian Populations”
- 2nd place (tie): Maisy Webster, “‘It’s Like a Big Team’: Assessing Alignment Between an NCI Cancer Center’s Health System Processes and the National Standards for Cancer Survivorship Care”
- 2nd place (tie): Tristan Ntego, “Social Vulnerability and Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Outcomes in Kentucky and Georgia”
Postdoctoral Scholars and Staff, Basic Science
- 1st place: Michelle Pitts, “Pharmacologic and Genetic Alteration of De Novo Fucose Synthesis Abrogates MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma Tumor Growth”
- 2nd place (tie): Haoming Wu, “Neurotensin Suppresses Anti-Tumor Immunity and is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer”
- 2nd place (tie): Rakshamani Tripathi, “Targeting ABL Kinases Overcomes Immune-Mediated Resistance to MAPK Inhibitors in Metastatic Melanoma”
Postdoctoral Scholars and Staff, Clinical/Population Science
- 1st place: Kennedy Walcott-George, “Adaptation of Behavioral Intervention from Dementia to Glioma Cancer Survivors: A Synopsis of Study Design”
- 2nd place: Julia Magsam, “Identification of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE Adverse Events and Provider Errors in Nuclear Medicine-Based Theranostics”
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