Meet the 2020 CTSI K Scholars

The University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) has made 2020 K Scholar Program awards to faculty from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and UB whose research interests range from breast cancer disparities to dental and craniofacial development. These researchers are already making an impact through their work at Roswell Park and UB. Now, these five individuals join the ranks as CTSI K Scholars.

The CTSI K Scholar Program provides research mentoring, funding, and career and professional development to outstanding junior faculty and senior fellows transitioning to independent faculty positions. Scholars’ research centers on new treatments for diseases and innovative methods to mitigate and eliminate health disparities.

“We are just delighted to welcome the 2020 cohort of CTSI K Scholars to our mentored career development award program and to contribute to their research and professional development as they transition to independent careers and join the next generation of clinical and translational research leaders,” said University at Buffalo CTSI K Scholars Program PI and Lead and CTSI Workforce Development Core Director Margarita L. Dubocovich, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “Their broad and diverse research interests — ranging from cancer science to translational neuroscience to the development of novel therapies to genetics and data science — will enrich our learning and research environment in clinical and translational science.”

The 2020 cohort of CTSI K Scholars includes:

Shipra Gandhi, MD

Assistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Education and training:

• Clinical Fellow, Hematology-Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2015-2018
• Internal Medicine, University at Buffalo, 2012-15
• MD, Lady Hardinge Medical College, 2010

Main research focus: Breast cancer disparities between African Americans and Caucasians

“My research goal is to study the immunosuppressive pathways in breast cancer and to overcome them by re-invigorating the anti-tumor immune response, thus improving outcomes for patients with breast cancer and mitigating health disparities. The CTSI K Scholar Program will help me gain the appropriate knowledge, trial design, and data analysis skills by providing funding to support my research; along with outstanding mentorship — to build the foundation for my future career as an independent physician-scientist with expertise in breast cancer and immunotherapy.”

Kathleen Kokolus, PhD

Staff Scientist, Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Research, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Education and training:

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 2015-18
• PhD, Immunology, Roswell Park Graduate Division of the University at Buffalo, 2014
• MS, Duquesne University, 2008
• BS, Duquesne University, 2007

Main research focus: How thermal stress impacts the anti-tumor immune response

“I’m so excited to be part of the CTSI K Scholar Program, and I’m really looking forward to utilizing all the resources the CTSI offers to help me transition into an independent scientist. The focus the program places on developing important non-scientific skills such as grant-writing, manuscript preparation, and professional service will be critical to my success as an early-stage translational researcher.”

Hyuk-Jae Edward Kwon, DDS, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo

Education and training:

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 2012-17
• PhD, Yonsei University Graduate School, 2011
• DDS, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, 2006

Main research focus: Dental and craniofacial development and structural birth defects

“It is a great honor to be selected as a CTSI K Scholar. Building on my background in dental and craniofacial developmental biology, I wish to use this opportunity to advance my knowledge and expertise in craniofacial birth defects and translational medicine.”

Qian Liu, PhD

Assistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Education and training:

• Post-Doctoral Research Affiliate, Bioconductor Core Team, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2017-19
• PhD, Biostatistics, University at Buffalo, 2017
• MA, Biostatistics, University at Buffalo, 2014

Main research focus: Development of computational tools in deciphering big genomic data from cancer research

“Development of computational and analytical tools is an essential element of cancer research in order to make sense of data and turn data into concrete knowledge. As a computational biologist, I believe the prestigious CTSI K Scholar Program will provide me with the necessary resources and opportunities to facilitate my transition into an independent investigator in this exciting area.”

Jason Sprowl, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo

Education and training:

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 2014
• PhD, Biomolecular Sciences, Laurentian University, 2010
• BS, Biochemistry, Laurentian University, 2004

Main research focus: The role of transporter proteins in regulating drug or nutrient uptake and accumulation

“To be included as a CTSI K Scholar, which is comprised of highly reputable colleagues and alumni, is a great honor. The training and mentoring I will receive from this program will ensure my transition to an independently funded investigator, and enable me to conduct translational research that can improve the clinical outcome of individual patients.”

The CTSI K Scholar Program is funded through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award numbers KL2TR001413 and UL1TR001412 to the University at Buffalo.