The AGA Research Foundation is proud to offer two specialty awards to investigators working on novel approaches in GI cancer research. Read about our 2022 recipients below.
Sarah Palmer Short, PhD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Project: The role of glutathione peroxidase 1 in colorectal cancer development and progression
Antioxident supplements touted as essential for good health may increase mortality rates among cancer patients. Dr. Short aims to mitigate risk by examining how antioxidant proteins contribute to colorectal cancer development, progression and chemotherapeutic response. Investigating the role of oxidative stress in the gut will inform how antioxidant therapy might modify disease development and treatment.
Funding for this award is provided by an anonymous donor to the AGA Research Foundation Endowment Fund.
Eunyoung Choi, PhD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Project: Oncogenic roles of Arid1a during gastric carcinogenesis
Dr. Choi established novel and unique in vivo and in vitro model systems critical for understanding the carcinogenic process between dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Her funded project will define the key functional and carcinogenic roles of a frequently mutated transcription factor, ARID1A, in gastric pre-cancer to cancer progression. Understanding the full spectrum of gastric carcinogenesis and identifying key factors responsible regulating for gastric dysplasia evolution will provide a pathway for early detection or prevention of gastric cancer.
