The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation has awarded Chuang Sun, PhD, postdoctoral research associate at UNC Lineberger, a one-year, $75,000 fellowship award as part of the foundation’s annual Research Fellow Award Program, which aims to prepare and support the next generation of young investigators who are at the forefront of research into myeloma disease biology, patient response to treatment and drug resistance.
Sun was one of five cancer researchers to receive the award this year from the foundation. Sun’s project, entitled “New Generation CD138 Chimeric Antigen Receptor Targeting Multiple Myeloma,” will investigate a form of immunotherapy for multiple myeloma. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cells are a type of immunotherapy for cancer in which a patient’s own immune cells are genetically engineered to fight their cancer.
The MMRF Research Fellow Award Program is open to researchers at the post-doctorate/medical fellow or junior faculty levels who are working under the supervision or guidance of a research mentor in the multiple myeloma field.
“The MMRF is committed to investing in the careers of promising young researchers to guarantee that the best scientists are focused on multiple myeloma. Their contributions are critical to accelerating innovations in myeloma and extending lives,” said Paul Giusti, chief executive officer of the foundation. “This year, our fellows are pursuing groundbreaking research such as examining new targets for immunotherapy using cutting-edge technologies like nanoparticles, areas that have great potential to make precision medicine a reality for patients.”