Melissa Teoh-Fitzgerald, Ph.D., calls investigating the role antioxidant enzymes play in breast cancer her passion. It’s an area she’s been researching since she was a post-doc at the University of Iowa.
On March 17, that passion will be recognized, as Dr. Teoh-Fitzgerald, an assistant professor in biochemistry and molecular biology and already a UNMC New Investigator Awardee for 2014, will receive the 2015 Joseph P. Gilmore Distinguished New Investigator Award.
Dr. Teoh-Fitzgerald’s lab works to have a better understanding of how antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress play a role in breast cancer, including how oxidative stress affects how cancer cells communicate with other cells.
The result may provide those battling cancer with what Dr. Teoh-Fitzgerald calls a “better target,” allowing clinicians not just to kill cancer cells, but to cut off supportive systems for cells, as well.
Dr. Teoh-Fitzgerald’s postdoctoral lab in Iowa, where her research took shape, was focused on the study of free radicals.
“I got interested in how the loss of antioxidant expressions can contribute to aggressive behavior by cancer cells, and how the loss of antioxidant enzymes can influence the cancer cell’s interaction and communication (with other cells),” she said.
The trick is to think of cancer as an ecosystem — how do other cell types contribute? By targeting cells that support cancer cells, new or complementary therapies to standard chemotherapy and radiation regimens may be discovered.
Dr. Fitzgerald said she was fortunate to have wonderful mentors as she pursued her work and advised other young investigators to seek out supportive mentors as well.
At UNMC, Dr. Teoh-Fitzgerald found mentors in Vimla Band, Ph.D., chair of genetics, cell biology and anatomy, Kaustubh Datta, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, and a supportive department run by chair Surinder Batra, Ph.D.
Dr. Band said it’s been a pleasure to mentor Dr. Teoh-Fitzgerald.
“She is an outstanding mentee who is highly interactive, respectful and strives to be her best. She is always eager to learn new things,” Dr. Band said.
“Dr. Teoh-Fitzerald has clearly demonstrated her ability to carry out an independent course of research,” said Dr. Batra, chair of the department of biochemistry and molecular biology. “However, she has gone well beyond this and established an effective, well-funded, research group in record time. I have also found Melissa to be a warm, genuine individual, and I enjoy her research work, energy level and scientific expertise in the department.”
Congratulation….
Great Job Melissa, and great job to your lab too!
Congratulation!!!
Komen Nebraska applauds you and your work. Congratulations!
Karen Daneu