SAVANNAH — Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) students are participating in innovative cancer research through the Landings Cancer Research Summer Scholar program. This past summer, six M.D. students worked with MUSM faculty on research projects ranging from early detection and diagnosis to development of improved treatment options with a focus on personalized therapy.
The Landings Cancer Research Summer Scholar program focuses on exposing rising second year Mercer M.D. students to cancer research that has a high potential to improve patient care. It is supported by Together for a Cure, a Landings Women’s Golf Association event held every spring to raise money for cancer research and patient care in Savannah.
“Both the Landings Cancer Research Summer Scholar Program and MUSM Summer Scholar Program are incredible research opportunities for the M.D. students of MUSM,” said Dr. Raghavan Chinnadurai, Ph.D., assistant professor of oncology on the Savannah campus. “The Landings Cancer Research Summer Scholar program in particular prepares our M.D. students to gain knowledge on cancer medicine that they can apply in rural health care.”
Medical students Lawson Blake, of Rome, and Keenan Hogan, of Savannah, worked with Dr. Chinnadurai to study the interaction of a certain type of bone marrow and white blood cells and their modulation by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation drugs in patients with hematological cancers. This research eventually informs new avenues in the management of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation complications in these patients.
“This summer gave me a much greater appreciation for the extensive work that must be done for treatments to make their way to the clinical world,” Blake said. “I’m very fortunate to have taken part in this program and believe that I will be a better physician for it.”
“This opportunity was an impactful and rigorous endeavor. The day-to-day bench research was tough yet rewarding once it came to looking at data,” Hogan said. “Overall, this research will help people in the future. I am lucky to have been able to participate and help to improve the frontiers of modern medicine.”
Medical student Emilye Eischeid said she was inspired to apply for the Landings Cancer Research Summer Scholar program because she is a resident of The Landings in Savannah and wanted to represent her neighborhood. She worked with Jong Hyuk Lee, Ph.D., evaluating gene mutations to discover a viable target in colon cancer cells for future therapies.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the research I participated in this summer, and it was interesting to see the beginning of the research process in the lab versus how I am used to seeing it in practice in a clinical setting,” Eischeid said. “It was an incredible opportunity, and I can’t wait to see how Dr. Lee can take the work we did this summer to the next level with more funding.”
Medical student Andrew Jackson, of Augusta, worked in the laboratory of Himangshu Bose, Ph.D. He researched the effects of the drug pyrivinium pamoate on triple negative breast cancer cells expression of estradiol, an estrogen, as well as proteins of interest. Jackson is hopeful his research can further the understanding of triple negative breast cancer and contribute to finding an effective treatment.
“Breast cancer has made a major impact in my life and that of my family following the death of my mother from the disease. I cannot help but think of others who are going through similar experiences to that of my own and think of the pain and uncertainty that comes with the diagnosis,” he said. “Being able to take part in breast cancer research has allowed me to further my personal knowledge, expand my interest, and has given me the opportunity to contribute to the fight against cancer, and to that I am grateful.”
From a young age, medical student Anmol Patel has wanted to support people battling cancer and their loved ones.
“During my undergraduate study, I became a counselor for Camp Kesem, an organization supporting children whose parents have cancer,” Patel said. “My family’s experiences and my time at Camp Kesem inspired me to apply for the Landings Cancer Research Summer Scholar program.”
Patel, of Forsyth, worked with Wei-Hsiung Yang, Ph.D., studying the effects of the protein FOXR2 on tumor suppressor p53. When working correctly, p53 keeps cells from growing and dividing too fast or in an uncontrolled way.
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, which allows me to continue serving the cancer community by contributing to research that aims to improve treatment and patient outcomes,” Patel said.
Medical student Kaitlyn Vu, of Augusta, worked with Mohammed Abdelsaid, Ph.D., exploring potential cardiovascular side effects of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, also called PARPis, which are a common treatment for ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer, the most lethal and costly gynecological cancer, remains the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in 2024. While PARPis have significantly improved patient outcomes, Vu’s research aimed to provide crucial insights into their cardiovascular side effects to continue enhancing patient care.
“This research opportunity is incredibly meaningful to me as it aligns with my aspirations to specialize in OB-GYN and improve women’s health,” Vu said. “I am grateful for this experience, which has deepened my lifelong commitment to integrate medicine, public health, and research to care for underserved and vulnerable communities.”
Since its inception, Together for a Cure has raised over $1.5 million dollars in its fight against cancer in Savannah. The Landings Women’s Golf Association chose to fund cancer research at the School of Medicine’s Savannah campus because of Mercer graduates’ commitment to practice medicine in Georgia.
“Cancer has profoundly impacted countless lives, often appearing unexpectedly and with devastating consequences,” Vu said. “Every breakthrough in cancer research, no matter how big or small, brings us closer to more promising treatments.”
Participants in this year’s Landings Cancer Research Summer Scholar program and MUSM Summer Scholar Program will present their research findings at the Mercer School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy Joint Research Conference on Oct. 25.
