Mentor: Kristi Thiel, PhD

Comprehensive Exam:

Progestins as anti-cancer agents and immunomodulators

My Research:

My project is focused on repurposing progestins for the treatment of early endometrial cancer using patient-derived organoids as a model system.

Presentation:

May 2024. Organoids: Engineering Innovative Approaches for Basic and Translational Insight Keystone Symposia Conference (Advances in Single Cell Biology and Organoids for Precision Medicine section).  "Lead Compound Identification Using Live-Cell Imaging of Patient-Derived Endometrial Cancer Organoids"  (short talk). 

2025 Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Annual Retreat. "Lead Compound Identification Using Live-Cell Imaging of Patient-Derived Endometrial Cancer Organoids." (Oral presentation)

2025 Keystone Organoid Meeting, Whistler, BC. "Lead Compound Identification Using Live-Cell Imaging of Patient-Derived Endometrial Cancer Organoids. (Oral presentation)

2024 University of Iowa OBGYN Postgraduate Conference. "Modeling response to progestin therapy in patient-derived organoid models of endometrial cancer.." (Poster presentation)

2024 International Conference on Steroid Hormones and Receptors, Albuquerque, NM. "Modeling response to progestin therapy in patient-derived organoid models of endometrial cancer." (Poster Presentation)

2024 Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Annual Retreat. "Modeling response to progestin therapy in patient-derived organoid models of endometrial cancer. (Poster presentation)

Publications:

Award:

2023-2024 Iowa Innovation Leadership Fellowship, UI Ventures

2024 Finalist, 3 Minute Thesis Competition, University of Iowa Graduate College