CCF Awards $825,000 in Research Grants
Research grants support early-career, innovative researchers worldwide who are focused on studying cholangiocarcinoma at renowned institutions
SALT LAKE CITY, UT, — The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, a nonprofit organization funding novel research for bile duct cancer, has awarded the eleventh cycle of funding for its Research Fellowship Program. Eleven early-career investigators from select institutions were each awarded $75,000 for a one-year study.
Since 2015, the Foundation has awarded 71 research fellowships totaling $3.76 million in seed funding to early-career investigators to raise awareness about cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and inspire innovative, high-quality research. In accordance with the Foundation’s research philosophy, the organization supports promising projects that are less likely to get traditional funding. This year, we are proud to announce 11 new awards of $75,000 each, further supporting groundbreaking studies in cholangiocarcinoma.
“The Foundation’s Research Fellowship Program is driving critical discoveries and advancing our understanding of cholangiocarcinoma,” said Stacie Lindsey, CEO and Founder of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. “We are honored to support this year’s outstanding fellows as they pursue innovative research that has the potential to change lives. Their dedication carries forward the legacy of those for whom these grants are named, ensuring meaningful progress for patients and the scientific community.”
This year, 53 letters of intent were received from academic, medical, or research institutions worldwide. Postdoctoral fellows, instructors with an MD, Ph.D., Pharm.D., or DVM, and junior faculty within the first four years of appointment at the time of application were eligible to apply.
The grant review committee is composed of experienced clinicians and scientists from the cholangiocarcinoma field and seasoned research advocates who reviewed the proposals and selected the awardees.
The Research Fellowship awardees are listed below.
Mark R. Clements Memorial Research Fellowship,
Georgios Koulios at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Inhibition of tropomyosin receptor kinase signaling as a therapeutic approach for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
In memory of the Cholangiocarcinoma’s Co-founder, Mark R. Clements, who passed away from the disease in 2007, CCF is supporting the Mark R. Clements Memorial Research Fellowship grant. This year’s grant is awarded to Georgios Koulios from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Georgios will investigate the inhibition of tropomyosin receptor kinase signaling as a therapeutic approach for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
AstraZeneca/CCF Research Fellowship,
Soravis Osataphan at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Mapping the tumor and immune microenvironment in liver-fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma
The AstraZeneca/CCF Research Fellowship grant, supported by AstraZeneca, focuses on the important role that scientific research plays in expanding knowledge about cholangiocarcinoma. This fellowship is awarded to Soravis Osataphan from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Soravis will investigate the mapping of the tumor and immune microenvironment in liver-fluke associated cholangiocarcinoma.
Julienne Morriss Callaway Research Fund,
Kevin Wang at Princess Margaret Cancer Center
Multi-modal tumor-naïve profiling of bile cfDNA for early detection of malignant strictures in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
In memory of Julienne Morriss Callaway, who passed away from the disease in 2019, Jack Callaway and the Callaway family set up the Julienne Morriss Callaway Research Fund, which supports a Memorial Research Fellowship in her name. This fellowship is awarded to Kevin Wang at Princess Margaret Cancer Center. Kevin will investigate multi-modal tumor-naïve profiling of bile cfDNA for early detection of malignant strictures in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.
Stewart Mather Memorial Research Fellowship
Davide Povero at Mayo Clinic
BAP1 loss-of-function protects mitochondria and confers cholangiocarcinoma resistance to ferroptosis
In memory of Stewart Mather, who passed away from the disease in 2020, Colleen Mather and the Mather Family Foundation are supporting the Stewart Mather Memorial Research Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded to Davide Povero at Mayo Clinic. Davide will investigate if BAP1 loss-of-function protects mitochondria and confers cholangiocarcinoma resistance to ferroptosis.
The Quack Out Cholangio 5K Run/Walk to Crush Bile Duct Cancer Research Fellowship Grant funded by Team Cure Cholangio honoring Arturo Mendoza, Penny Zeigler, and TJ Wallace
Farinaz Barghi at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Therapeutic Strategies for Targeting KRAS in Biliary Tract Carcinoma
In memory of Arturo, Penny, and TJ, who passed away from the disease, Team Cure Cholangio is supporting the Quack Out Cholangio 5K Run/Walk to Crush Bile Duct Cancer Research Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded to Farinaz Barghi at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Farinaz will investigate therapeutic strategies for targeting KRAS in Biliary Tract Carcinoma.
The Michelle Strati Family Foundation Research Fellowship
Ghada Nouairia at Karolinska Institutet
DNA methylation-based blood test for early detection of cholangiocarcinoma
In memory of Michelle “Chelle” Strati, who passed away from the disease in November of 2022. Alex Strati, Aubrey Grossnickle, Noah Strati & Samantha Singleton (and their families) set up the Michelle Strati Family Foundation to support causes Michelle was passionate about, including The Michelle Strati Family Foundation Research Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded to Ghada Nouairia from Karolinska Institutet, who will investigate DNA methylation-based blood tests for early detection of cholangiocarcinoma.
Hope in Research: CCF Community-Funded Research Fellowship
Justin Lo at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Targeting Pin1 in cholangiocarcinoma stromal and tumor cells to improve response to chemoimmunotherapy
The first-ever Community-Funded Research Fellowship was fully supported by individual donations. This year’s first fellowship is awarded to Justin Lo at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Justin will investigate targeting Pin1 in cholangiocarcinoma stromal and tumor cells to improve response to chemoimmunotherapy.
Stephanie and Lawrence Doll Research Fellowship
Haley Ellis at Massachusetts General Hospital
Resistance to Mutant IDH1 Inhibition in Cholangiocarcinoma
This research grant is supported by Stephanie and Lawrence, inspired by Stephanie’s current journey with cholangiocarcinoma. The fellowship is awarded to Haley Ellis from Massachusetts General Hospital. Haley will study resistance to mutant IDH1 inhibition in cholangiocarcinoma, a mutation affecting some 15% of those diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, including Stephanie. This will reinforce Stephanie and Lawrence’s belief in the power of science to drive progress toward effective treatments.
Maria Vandervoort Memorial Research Fellowship
Ainhoa Lapitz at Asociacion Instituto De Investigacion Sanitaria Biogipuzkoa
International validation of tumor tissue biomarkers for predicting post-surgical recurrence and survival in cholangiocarcinoma patients
This research grant is in memory of Maria Vandervoort, who passed away from the disease in 2022. Glen Vandervoort supports the Maria Vandervoort Memorial Research Fellowship, which is dedicated to scientific inquiry and honors her legacy. This fellowship is awarded to Ainhoa Lapitz at Asociacion from the Instituto De Investigacion Sanitaria Biogipuzkoa. Ainhoa will investigate the international validation of tumor tissue biomarkers for predicting post-surgical recurrence and survival in cholangiocarcinoma patients.
The Patient Champion Research Fellowship
Dong-Gi Mun at Mayo Clinic
Novel glycopeptide biomarkers for diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma
The Patient Champion Fellowship is made possible through the generosity of a dedicated patient donor who is committed to advancing research and expanding treatment options for all those battling cholangiocarcinoma. This fellowship is awarded to Dong-Gi Mun from Mayo Clinic. Dong-Gi will investigate novel glycopeptide biomarkers for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.
Strength in Community CCF Research Fellowship
Binbin Li at Mayo Clinic
Chemotherapy-Induced Senescence Promotes Tumor Immunosuppression in Cholangiocarcinoma
In honor and memory of all patients and caregivers affected by cholangiocarcinoma, CCF is supporting the Strength in Community CCF Research Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded to Binbin Li from the Mayo Clinic. Binbin will investigate whether chemotherapy-induced senescence promotes tumor immunosuppression in cholangiocarcinoma.
For more information on CCF’s research initiatives, visit curecca.org.
About cholangiocarcinoma:
Cholangiocarcinoma, pronounced (koh-LAN-jee-oh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh), is a highly lethal and rare bile duct cancer of the liver with a poor prognosis. With approximately 10,000 cases a year being diagnosed in the United States, cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary liver cancer in the world. It is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment is only minimally effective, emphasizing the imminent need for novel therapies.
About the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation:
Founded in 2006, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation is a global 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for cholangiocarcinoma patients. The Foundation is also part of a global alliance and partners with institutions in the United Kingdom, Thailand, Italy, Denmark, Japan, and other countries. For more information, please visit our website at cholangiocarcinoma.org. You may also contact CCF Director of Communications Karen Templeton at karen.templeton@cholangiocarcinoma.org.
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Karen Templeton
Director of Communications
205-641-2016
karen.templeton@cholangiocarcinoma