Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI) has awarded Abner A. Murray, MD, PhD, a third year hematology/oncology fellow at UNC School of Medicine, a 2025-2026 Lung Cancer Research Fellowship grant. He was one of four recipients from North Carolina who were recognized for their demonstrated commitment to the lung cancer field, and their research proposals will impact lung cancer research and medical care. Each LCI fellow will receive a grant of $25,000 to continue their work and development.
“Now is such a critical time for us to support young researchers and their work. Often, LCI’s Research Fellows grant is the first funding that a researcher may receive in their career. We hope that this support allows them to continue to grow in their careers to ultimately become leaders that will drive progress in lung cancer research and care,” said Neal Ready, MD, PhD, Duke Cancer Institute and LCI Chief Scientific Officer.
LCI is celebrating 10 years of impact through the Research Fellows Program. Since 2015, LCI has provided $1.2 million to 49 fellows, with 97% of the fellows remaining in the field of lung cancer during their careers.
Murray will use the grant to support his project, “PREDICT-MPE: Profiling Responses and Dysfunction in Immune Cells to Correlate with Therapy in Malignant Pleural Effusions.” UNC Lineberger’s Benjamin Vincent, MD, is Murray’s mentor.
Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common complication in advanced lung cancer, but its effects on the immune system are not well understood. As part of this project, Murray will examine how CD8 T cells function in pleural fluid, why they become ineffective and whether their activity can be restored. By linking immune changes to treatment response and building a diverse patient registry, the study aims to identify biomarkers that guide more effective, equitable care for patients with MPE.
“MPE is associated with worse survival, fewer treatment options, and impaired quality of life, yet it remains poorly understood at the mechanistic level,” Murray said. “Because MPE is a site of ongoing tumor–immune interaction, it also represents a unique opportunity to study immune responses to cancer in real time.”
About Lung Cancer Initiative’s Research Program
Since 2008, LCI has funded more than $3.8 million in lung cancer research through programs like the research fellowship grant, health disparities in lung cancer grant in partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research, Career Development Award, and the Vicky Amidon Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Award.
The purpose of LCI’s Research Fellows program is to further the development of local lung cancer care and research programs across the state of North Carolina. By funding research activities of fellows, LCI helps further their careers and encourages their continued involvement in the field of lung cancer. This fellowship is provided for students who wish to pursue a career in lung cancer research, diagnosis, treatment, and/or care. LCI fellowships are granted for one year, and recipients receive a $25,000 per year stipend.