Ahilya Kadba, a senior biology major from Pune, India, is presenting her research on the effect of epigenetic therapies on the tumor microenvironment at this year’s Undergraduate Research Conference (URC).
COLSA: What is the title of your research?
Ahilya Kadba: My research is titled "Investigating the Effect of Epigenetic Therapies on the Tumor Microenvironment."
COLSA: Can you summarize your research in simple terms?
Ahilya: My research focuses on a rare type of blood cancer called Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM), which has limited treatment options. We're studying a new type of drug known as BET inhibitors to see if they can effectively combat this cancer. Despite the challenging nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME), which usually hinders treatments, BET inhibitors appear to remain effective, which raises the question, “Are these drugs directly changing the TME”?
COLSA: What problem does your research aim to solve?
Ahilya: My research focuses on understanding how BET inhibitors impact cells in the TME. Early results suggest that they slow down cell growth and may work by blocking a protein called GLI2, which helps cells grow. To learn more, I am using lab techniques to study how BET inhibitors affect GLI2 in the TME. This research could help significantly improve treatments for WM and similar cancers.
COLSA: How has participating in the URC benefited you?
Ahilya: Participating in the Undergraduate Research Conference has helped me develop skills such as public speaking and scientific communication.
COLSA: Who has been working with you on your research?
Ahilya: I have been working under the guidance of my principal investigator, Dr. Sherine Elsawa, and with the support of a graduate student in our lab.
