Two esteemed faculty members from the Cancer Research Center at Alabama State University have significantly boosted their research endeavors with pilot grants totaling $200,000. Dr. Manoj Mishra, the CRC’s founder and director, and Dr. Parul Dubey, a researcher in the center, have been awarded these grants from The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.
Dr. Mishra expressed gratitude for the funding, emphasizing its crucial role in advancing their projects focused on breast cancer. “ASU’s Cancer Research Center is both gratified and thankful to the BCRFA for awarding the pilot grants to myself and Dr. Dubey which will greatly aid us in our two research projects that concentrate on breast cancer,” he stated. “ASU’s Center continues to gain recognition, attention and funding to do its best to learn more about this disease, which we hope will contribute to one day putting an end to it.”
Two Breast Cancer Research Avenues
The awarded funds will be distributed in $50,000 installments over two years. It will enable both researchers to pursue distinct yet complementary studies on breast cancer. Dr. Mishra’s project, “Nanostructured Copper Oxide Aptasensor for Noninvasive Early Detection of 8-oxo-dG in Breast Cancer Diagnosis,” aims to develop innovative methods for early detection.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dubey’s research, entitled “Bridging the Gap: Integrating Genetic Insights and FDA-Approved Therapies to Revolutionize Treatment for African American Breast Cancer,” seeks to enhance treatment options specifically for African American women. This demographic faces unique challenges related to breast cancer.
The BCRFA allocated over $1.1 million to fund 22 diverse projects at seven research institutions across Alabama, reflecting its commitment to advancing breast cancer research that saves lives. Other beneficiaries include Auburn University, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Tuskegee University, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, The University of Alabama, and the Mitchell Cancer Institute at the University of South Alabama.
Beth Davis, president and CEO of BCRFA, commented on the foundation’s impact: “This year’s investment of $1,125,000 reinforces our ongoing reputation as a catalyst for important research across Alabama. Our support allows research to occur that ranges from new early detection strategies to refined innovations in treatment. Ultimately, these investments give increased hope and improved opportunities to Alabamians and others who are fighting breast cancer.”
The collaboration between ASU and BCRFA highlights the essential work within Alabama’s research community.