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Funded Projects

Defining Vulvar Cancer Subtypes and Implications for Clinical Outcomes

Awarded in 2025
New Investigator Program
Updated Jul 21, 2025

At a Glance

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can cause various health issues including certain cancers. Even with an established HPV vaccine, vaccination rates remain below the national average, putting people at risk for infections and related cancers. Particularly in the Midwest, disparities in race, ethnicity, rural or urban location and Medicaid status contribute to high rates of vulvar cancer nationally. This research aims to identify biomarkers of prognosis and treatment response for vulvar cancer, including the role of immune cells and their interactions with HPV in tumor tissues. The outcomes of this research will clarify and provide better treatment options for patients with vulvar and other HPV-related cancers.

More Funded Projects

research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Identification of Novel Biomarkers and Pathogenesis of Kidney Transplant Rejection Using Cell-Free DNA Fragmentation and DNA Methylation Patterns

Year Awarded: 2025
More than 25,000 kidney transplants are performed annually in the United States. However, 92,000 individuals remain on the kidney transplant waitlist. Repeat transplants often have worse health outcomes, so preventing graft failure after the first transplant is crucial. Acute rejection (AR) is a major cause of failure, but there is still a lack of understanding of its causes and reliable, noninvasive ways to detect it. This study aims to better understand the pathophysiology of AR and identify noninvasive biomarkers. Modification of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) presents a promising target for early diagnosis and supports the development of more effective therapies.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Defining New Paradigms for Epithelial-Immune Interactions in Dysbiosis by Understanding the Response of Tuft Cells to Commensal Microbes

Year Awarded: 2025
The gut microbiome plays a key role in our health, but poor diets and disease can disrupt its balance, leading to dysbiosis. In Wisconsin, where obesity rates are high, dysbiosis worsens conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease and increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. This study investigates how tuft cells, which are specialized gut cells, help maintain intestinal health and immune responses. Findings will enhance understanding of microbiome-gut interactions and guide the analysis of tissue samples from patients with dysbiosis and inflammatory diseases.