Meet the Breast SPORE Advocates
Research Advocacy
Since 2004, research advocates have been an integral part of the Breast SPORE team, offering patient experiences and perspectives into all aspects of breast cancer research at Vanderbilt-Ingram. These passionate, determined and dedicated volunteers are actively involved helping to bring the best science to those who are affected by breast cancer by contributing in the following ways:
Research Advocacy
Since 2003, research advocates have been an integral part of the GI SPORE team, offering patient experiences and perspectives into GI SPORE research at VICC. These committed cancer survivors and caregivers are actively involved helping to bring the best science to those who are affected by colorectal cancer by contributing in the following ways:
Developmental Research
The Developmental Research Program (DRP) supports pilot projects that allow early, high-risk research to move solid basic science findings toward clinical application, as well as the migration of provocative clinical observations back to the laboratory in order to understand their mechanistic basis.
Breast SPORE Research Projects
The SPORE in Breast Cancer supports four research projects aimed at addressing basic, clinical and population research questions of importance in human breast cancer. All projects are translational and multidisciplinary and are led by co-investigators from multiple departments across the School of Medicine, with complementary basic science and translational/clinical expertise.
Learn more about our Breast SPORE research projects and cores.
Project 2
Strategies to Improve Outcomes for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Integrating Subtype-Specific Genomic and Immune-Based Discoveries
- Clinical co-leader: Vandana G. Abramson, MD
- Basic co-leader: Jennifer A. Pietenpol, PhD
- Co-investigators: Brian Lehmann, PhD
- Patient Advocates: Cat Dunham and Carolyn Pugh
Project 4
Targeting Antigen Presentation to Improve Immunotherapy Responses in Breast Cancer
- Clinical co-leader: Laura Kennedy, MD, PhD
- Basic co-leader: Justin M. Balko, PharmD, PhD
- Co-investigator: Brent Ferrell, MD, Simon Mallal, MBBS, PhD, & Mary Philip, PhD
- Patient advocate: Roberta Cassanova and Michelle Wyatt
Project 5
Liquid Biopsies to Guide Therapies in Triple-Negative Breast
- Clinical co-leader: Vandana Abramson, MD
- Basic co-leader: Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD
- Co-investigators: Alexander Bick, MD, PhD
- Patient Advocate: Edith McLeary and Laura Nasca
Overview
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center SPORE in Breast Cancer has established a true multidisciplinary program focused on conducting multidisciplinary, mechanism-based, translational research of the highest possible impact that will contribute meaningfully to measurable progress in breast cancer. Our investigators have expertise in cellular signaling and molecular biology, breast pathology, medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, clinical trial design, epidemiology and population studies, mass spectrometry, biostatistics, and biomedical informatics.
The SPORE in Breast Cancer
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center's SPORE in Breast Cancer, established in 2003, is one of only six in the country, and focuses on innovative, translational research for better diagnosis, prognosis, screening, prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Other Ways To Give
If you wish to make a general gift to support the Ambassadors' mission, please choose one of these options:
