Funded Project Highlights

This project, Engineering CAR T Cells to Overcome Variable Antigen Density in Acute Myeloid Leukemia, led by Rebecca Richards, MD, PhD, will evaluate precision methods for measuring key indicators of success for a targeted cancer immunotherapy to expand treatment options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which typically has low treatment response rates and poses a challenge for inducing remission after relapse. The results of this project will support efforts to improve other targeted immunotherapeutic strategies for AML through broader application of the study methods.

The project, Partnership to Expand Education and Training Pathways in Clinical Research, is led by principal investigator Samuel Poore, MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Surgery at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, and co-investigators Rafael Veintimilla, MD, senior director of the University of Wisconsin Clinical Trials Institute, and Marissa Winer, MA, dean of the School of Health Sciences at Madison College. This project aims to modernize how clinical research professionals are trained by replacing traditional degree requirements with focused, competency-based coursework and paid internships linked to career opportunities. Through collaboration with educational institutions, industry leaders and community organizations, the project will create accessible pathways into rewarding, high-demand careers for individuals from varying backgrounds and communities. In doing so, it aims to develop a clinical research workforce that broadly reflects Wisconsin’s population and health needs while strengthening the state’s research infrastructure and capacity to advance new medical treatments. Key partnership collaborators include Madison College (MC), University of Wisconsin (UW) Clinical Trials Institute (CTI), UW SMPH Office of Biohealth Industry Partnerships and Master of Science in Biotechnology, Industry Leaders (Exact Sciences), Community Engagement (South Madison Partnership, Sokaogon Chippewa Community Biohealth Incubator) and additional partners (BioForward, Biopharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI)).