We live in a time of unprecedented discovery about cancer. More than ever before, advances in genetics, immunology, and cell biology are enabling a deeper understanding of cancer prevention, care, and treatment. We imagine a future where this knowledge offers limitless potential to better treat and even cure cancer. The Tisch Cancer Institute Scholars Program (TCI Scholars) redoubles the efforts of our already high-quality cancer research program through fresh approaches from up-and-coming scientists.

Our TCI Scholars program provides promising early- and mid-career investigators at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai with annual awards to support their innovative cancer research.  

By supporting TCI Scholars, you can:

• Fund a critical need: Young investigators face limited options for funding from traditional sources such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The TCI Scholars program enables these promising scientists to put their research plan into action quickly.
• Ensure Mount Sinai retains the brightest minds in cancer research: Donors to The TCI Scholars program provide the kind of flexible, reliable funding that helps recruit the most brilliant investigators to Mount Sinai—and keep them here.
• Fund groundbreaking research at the outset: Fueled by early support, TCI Scholars will be better positioned to receive larger grants, publish their findings in leading journals, and train the next generation of researchers. Your contribution will enable our young investigators to put their research plans into action and accumulate the preliminary data—and establish credibility—to take their translational research from concept to actualization. As a result, patients will have access to innovative new treatments sooner.

The TCI Scholars Program funds the following:

Specific cancers including:

• Breast & Gynecologic Cancers
• Liver & Colon Cancers
• Prostate Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• Lymphoma/Leukemia

Specific approaches including:

• Immunotherapies
• Genomics
• Prevention & Early Detection

The TCI Scholars Program is open to early- to mid-career cancer faculty throughout the Mount Sinai Health System who are doing cancer-related research. We are particularly interested in projects designed with the goal of generating the preliminary data needed to secure external funding from the NIH or other sources. We select TCI Scholars on a competitive basis by an expert review committee led by Ramon Parsons, MD, PhD, Director of The Tisch Cancer Institute, who will ensure that the process is objective, thorough, and balances support for basic, clinical, and translational research. 

Meet Our Scholars

This inaugural year (2022), we had a total of 74 applicants, and we were able to fund the 3 incredible research projects below. With your support, we hope to grow the program significantly over the next few years.

Joshua Brody, MD

Project Title: Preventing antigen escape relapse post-immunotherapy by potentiating fas-mediated bystander signaling

Project Summary: Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized patient care by allowing the patient’s immune system to target specific ‘antigens’ present on cancerous cells, but not healthy cells. One major limitation of T-cell-based immunotherapies is a phenomenon known as “antigen escape,” which occurs when a subset of cancer cells lose the targeted antigen.   
  
This project tested several therapies that can prevent antigen escape by boosting a process called bystander killing, where targeted tumor cells are destroyed along with bystander tumor cells, regardless of antigen expression, and thereby increase T cell efficacy.

David Dominguez-Sola, MD, PhD

Project Title: Contribution of MYC-induced replication stress to cancer risk, initiation, and progression

Project Summary: Dr. Dominguez-Sola’s research aims to understand how oncogenes contribute to uncontrolled tumor growth and resistance to cancer treatment. He is using innovative genetic tools, animal models, and patient samples to explore the mechanisms by which MYC, a major contributor to several types of cancer, facilitates the acquisition of gene mutations and how this process affects cancer development. The findings of this study may provide new insights into cancer biology and could lead to innovative treatment strategies for a wide range of cancer patients.

Emily Gallagher, MD, PhD

Project Title: Insulin Receptor Isoform A in Hyperinsulinemia-associated Triple Negative Breast Cancer Development

Project Summary: Investigating the correlation between diabetes and cancer development, particularly aggressive forms like triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), Dr. Gallagher’s research focuses on understanding how high insulin levels contribute to tumor growth. By exploring the functions of insulin receptors in breast tissue and cancer development, she aims to identify ways to prevent cells from adopting cancer-promoting characteristics. This research has the potential to significantly reduce the risk of TNBC in individuals with high insulin levels. 

Alice Kamphorst, PhD

Project Title: Identifying cell interactions and niches that support anti-tumor CD8 T cell responses

Project Summary: Seeking to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies in treating tumors, Dr. Kamphorst’s research explores molecular pathways associated with helper T cells. Using a mouse model reflecting patient features, she aims to identify targetable molecules and pathways to improve cancer immunotherapies. This research could lead to better treatment matching and the development of new therapies, ultimately benefitting cancer patients.  

Robert Samstein, MD, PhD

Project Title: Mechanisms of lung cancer immunosurveillence in murine models

Project Summary: Investigating immunosurveillance, Dr. Samstein’s research challenges traditional concepts by exploring the role of CD4 T cells and HLA class II in preventing lung cancer. His analysis of genetic data from over 800,000 individuals with tobacco exposure suggests a new understanding of how the immune system and genetics contribute to lung cancer risk. Dr. Samstein and his team will develop a mouse model to further study this immune contribution, providing insights into cancer development and potential prevention strategies.