Pilot Grant Awardees

Spring 2020

$125K/year 

C3 Project 1
“Neoantigen-specific T cell responses in exceptional responders to immunotherapy in NSCLC”
Susan Kaech, PhD (Salk)​
Stephen Schoenberger, PhD (La Jolla Institute)
Sandip Patel (MCC) 
Abstract

​C3 Project 2 
“Peptide Targeted Delivery of Epigenetic Therapies in Pancreatic Cancer”
Ronald Evans, PhD (Salk)
Gregory Bottam MD, PhD (MCC)
Abstract

Abstract

C3 Project 5
"Examination of Inhibitors of the ULK1 Autophagy Kinase as Therapeutics in NSCLC" 
Hatim Husain, MD (MCC)
Nicholas Cosford, PhD (SBP)
Reuben Shaw, PhD (Salk)
Abstract

Rady Project 2
"Elucidating the Role of Syk Kinase and Syk Inhibitors Combined with Radiation Therapy in Neuroblastoma"           Shweta Joshi, PhD (MCC/RCHSD)
Andrew Sharabi, MD, PhD (MCC)      
 Abstract        

Rady Project 3
"Improved Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Anthracycline-Related Cardiac Dysfunction Using Global Longitudinal Strain"
Hari Narayan, MD, MSCE (MCC/RCHSD)
Saro Armenian, DO, MPH (City of Hope)
Sun Choom, MD (MCC/RCHSD)           
Abstract

Rady Project 4
"Novel Pathways Regulated by NME1 in Neuroblastoma" 
Peter Zage, MD, PhD (MCC/RCHSD)
Tony Hunter, PhD (Salk) 
Pablo Tamayo, PhD (MCC)
Abstract

Spring 2019

$125K/year 

C3 Project 1
“Microbe-Associated Colorectal Cancer (M.A.C.S)” 
Soumita Das, PhD (LJI)
Svasti Haricharan, PhD (SBP)
Abstract

​C3 Project 2 
“Identification of regulatory programs for glioblastoma cellular hierarchy using single-cell multi-omic profiling” 
Joseph Ecker, PhD (Salk)
Jeremy Rich MD, MHS, MBA (MCC)
Jesse Dixon, MD, PhD (Salk)
Abstract

​C3 Project 3 
“Characterization of a GOLPH3 Pathway Inhibitor to Enable a Hit-to-Lead Grant to Develop a Novel Cancer Therapeutic” 
Seth Field, MD, PhD (MCC)
Michael Jackson, MD, PhD (SBP)
Abstract

________________________________________________________________

$100K/year 

​Rady Project 1 
“Detecting dysregulated genes in neuroblastoma using allele-specific expression”
Jennifer Elster, MD (Rady/MCC)
Graham McVicker, PhD (Salk)
Abstract

________________________________________________________________

Team Science Award

$100K/year

Spring 2018 

$125K/year 

C3 Project 1
“Natural Killer Cells for Treatment of Medulloblastoma” 
Dan Kaufman, MD, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)​ 
Robert Wechsler-Reya, PhD (Sanford Burnham) 
Abstract

“Targeting a Therapeutic Vulnerability in PTEN-Deficient Brain Tumors”
Frank Furnari, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)
Geoff Wahl, PhD (Salk Institute for Biological Studies)
Abstract

“Enhanced Breast Cancer Risk Prediction from Imputed Gene Expression”
Hannah Carter, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)
Graham McVicker, PhD (Salk Institute for Biological Studies)
Abstract

"Inducing cytosolic chromatin fragments in cancer cells to turn cold tumors hot"
Jack Bui, MD, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)
Peter Adams, PhD (Sanford Burnham)
Abstract

$75K/year ​

C3 Project 1
“Irreversible Electroporation as an in situ Vaccine for Pancreatic Cancer”
Rebekah White, MD (Moores Cancer Center)​
Stephen Schoenberger, PhD (La Jolla Institute)
Aaron Miller, MD, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)
Abstract

$50K/year ​

Rady Project 1
“Tissue-specific Role of SMARCB1 in Pediatric Rhabdoid Tumors”
Frank Furnari, PhD (Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research)​
John Crawford, MD (Rady Children's Hospital)
Abstract

$75K/year ​

Project 1
“Targeting KRAS Mutant lung cancer with biphosphonated/statins and rapamycin analogs”
Lyudmila Bazhenova, MD (Moores Cancer Center)​
Inder Verma, PhD (Salk Institute Cancer Center)
​Abstract

$75K/year ​

Project 1
“Highly selective, synthetic, cleavage specificity-based nanobiosensors for tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic MMPs”
Alex Strongin, PhD (Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center)
Shu Chien, MD, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)
Peter Yingxiao Wang, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)
Abstract

Project 2
“Cytotoxic breast cancer treatment effects on aging”
Deborah Kado, MD, MS (Moores Cancer Center)
Jan Karlseder, PhD (Salk Cancer Center)
Abstract

Project 3
“In vivo modeling of anti-tumor responses of human melanoma patients and their responses to checkpoint immunotherapy”
Linda Bradley, PhD (Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center)
Greg Daniels, MD, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)
Abstract

$300K/2 years ​

Team Science Award
“Therapeutic reprogramming of pancreatic cancer stroma via modulation of p62 and p53”
Andrew Lowy, MD (Moores Cancer Center)
Geoffrey M. Wahl, PhD (Salk Cancer Center)
Cosimo Commisso, PhD (Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center)
Jorge Moscat, PhD (Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center)
Abstract

$75K/year

Project 1
“Small molecule screen for inhibitors of the GOLPH3 pathway”
Seth Field, MD, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)
Michael Jackson, PhD (Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center)
Abstract 

Project 2
“Applying p38 MAPK inhibitors to tackle breast cancer metastasis”
Michael Karin, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)
Geoffrey M. Wahl, PhD (Salk Cancer Center) 
Abstract

Project 3
“Stromal reprogramming to enhance the effectiveness of pancreatic cancer therapy”
Andrew Lowy, MD (Moores Cancer Center)
Geoffrey M. Wahl, PhD (Salk Cancer Center) 
Abstract

Project 4
“Targeting imatinib-resistant, KIT-negative cells in human GISTs”
Jason K. Sicklick, MD (Moores Cancer Center)
Robert J. Wechsler-Reya, PhD (Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center)
Abstract 

Project 5
“Demonstrating the clinical utility of whole exome sequencing for cancer patients”
Lisa Madlensky, PhD (Moores Cancer Center)
Geoffrey M. Wahl, PhD (Salk Cancer Center)
Abstract

$30K/year 

"Determination of Cancer Persister Cell Mutational Rate"
Matthew Hangauer, PhD
Abstract

"Clinical Strategizing of PARP Inhibitors in Prostate Cancer"
Rana McKay, MD
Abstract

"Enhanced T-cell Regeneration Using Cell Instructive Scaffolds"
Nisargh Shah, PhD
Abstract

"Exploration of LMPTP as a New Target for Prostate Cancer Therapy"
Stephanie Stanford, PhD
Abstract

"Single Cell Transcriptomics and Epigenomic Profiling to Reveal Immune Landscape in Pediatric Sarcomas"
Anusha Ganesan, MD, PhD
Abstract

"Tumor Board Education Series Devising a Package for Dissemination and Implentation of Evidence Based Recommendations for the Staging and Treatment of Gastric Cancer with Stakeholder Input"
Kaitlin Kelly, MD
Abstract

$30K/year

"A Chemistry-based Method for the Discovery of Irreversible Inhibitors with Anticancer Activity"
Chambers Hughes, PhD
Abstract

"T Lymphocyte Repertoire Determinants of Cancer Immunotherapy Response"
Gerald Morris, MD, PhD
Abstract

"Translational Control of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells"
Robert Signer, PhD
Abstract

"Reducing Tumor Resection Margins Via Natural Medical Image Overlays through Wireless Augmented Reality Headsets"
Michael Yip, PhD
Abstract

"Su Voz: Advanced Care Planning Preferences Amoung Spanish-speaking Cancer Patients and their Caregivers (special interest award)"
Veronica Cardenas, PhD
Abstract

$30K/year

"Photoacoustic Molecular Imaging of Ovarian Cancer"
Jesse Jokerst, PhD
Abstract

"Global Profiling of Extracellular Protease Activity from Lung Cancer Cells"
Anthony O'Donoghue, PhD
Abstract

"Restriction Spectrum Imaging for Presurgical Assessment of Neoadjuvant Treatment Response in Rectal Cancer"
Daniel Simpson, MD
Abstract

"The Role of Differential mRNA Localization in the Stress Adaption of Cancer Cells"
Brian Zid, PhD
Abstract

"Factors affecting Parental Satisfaction, Anxiety and Comprehension of Informed Consent in Pedatric Oncology Clinical Trials"
Paula Aristizabal, MD, MAS
Abstract

$30K/year 

“Factors affecting parental satisfaction, anxiety and comprehension of the informed consent in pediatric oncology clinical trial” 
Paula Aristizabal, MD
Abstract

“Integrin αvβ3 drives an EMT-independent role for slug in cancer stemness” 
Jay Desgrosellier, PhD
Abstract

“Prospective metabolite biomarkers of human breast cancer” 
Mohit Jain, MD, PhD
Abstract 

“The role of misregulated epigenetic mechanisms in cellular transformation and colorectal carcinoma”
Shannon Lauberth, PhD
Abstract

“The cost-effectiveness of using nicotine replacement therapy and financial incentives to promote utilization of smokers’ quitlines and smoking cessation among Asian-language speakers: a randomized, controlled pilot trial” 
Yuyan Shi, PhD
Abstract

“Utilizing FRET biosensors to optimize the targeting efficacy of CAR-based T-cell immunotherapy for individual B-ALL patients”
Xiandong Xu, MD, PhD
Abstract

$30K/year 

“Translational bioinformatics of the NCI 60 proteome” 
Nuno Bandeira, PhD
Abstract

“Ultra-sensitive protein detection for early cancer diagnostics using magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) biosensors” 
Drew Hall, PhD
Abstract

“Quantitative neuroimaging and neurocognitive assessment to measure radiation-induced brain injury in non-targeted tissue: implications for cognitive preservation” 
Jona Hattangadi-Gluth, MD
Abstract

“The role of misregulated epigenetic mechanisms in cellular transformation and colorectal carcinoma” 
Shannon Lauberth, PhD
Abstract

“Counterfeit Avastin health policy and legal analysis to improve cancer patient safety and public health”
Timothy Mackey, PhD
Abstract

$50K/year 

“Targeting Cancer Stem Cell Signaling as a Strategy against Platinum-resistant Ovarian Cancer” 
David Schlaepfer, PhD and Michael McHale, MD
Abstract

“Immune Biomarkers of Response to BTK Inhibitors in HNSCC Patients” 
Judith Varner, PhD and Kate Gold, MD
Abstract

“Molecular Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells to Predict Responses to Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients” 
Jing Yang, PhD and Barbara Parker, MD
Abstract

2017 Breath of Hope Pilot Grant

“Engineering Lung Cancer Cells into Immune Stimulatory Dendritic Cells” 
Jack Bui, MD, PhD and Sandip Patel, MD 
Abstract

$50K/year 

“Harnessing the full potential of novel immune therapies for oral cancer prevention and treatment” 
Silvio Gutkind, PhD and Ezra Cohen, MD
Abstract

“Therapeutic and Prognostic Potential of a Novel Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer” 
Pradipta Ghosh, MD and Samuel Ho, MD
Abstract

“IND enabling studies of LT-415 a novel chemotherapeutic agent with a unique target” 
William Fenical, PhD and Stephen Howell, MD
Abstract​

2016 Breath of Hope Pilot Grant

“Monitoring the Dynamics of Early Tumor Response to Therapy by Detecting Circulating Tumor DNA in Blood and Urine” 
Hatim Husain, MD
Abstract​

$50K/year 

“Copper PET imaging as a biomarker for prediction of response to cisplatin” 
Stephen Howell, MD, and David Vera, PhD
Abstract

“Imaging the metastatic potential of single tumor cells in lung adenocarcinoma” 
Pradipta Ghosh, MD, and Hatim Husain, MD
Abstract

“Prospective evaluation of restriction spectrum imaging in head and neck carcinoma” 
Quyen Nguyen, MD, PhD, and Anders Dale, PhD
Abstract

“Restriction spectrum imaging as a biomarker for monitoring disease progression and early response to therapy in patients with high-grade glioma” 
Carrie McDonald, PhD, and Jona Hattangadi-Gluth, MD
Abstract

“Development of theranostic antibody targeted delivery of radio sensitizers”
 Sunil Advani, MD, and Roger Tsien, PhD 
Abstract

$20K/year 

“Abbreviated MRI vs. standard ultrasonography for hepatocellular carcinoma Surveillance in cirrhosis.” 
Claude Sirlin, MD, and Yuko Kono, MD, PhD
Abstract

“An integrative approach to histological sections – accelerating the integration of multi-modality imaging into clinical practice.” 
Hauke Bartsch, PhD, and David Hall, PhD
Abstract

“Preliminary evaluation of RSI MRI for whole body cancer detection.” 
David Karow, MD, PhD, J. Michael Randall, MD, and Joshua Kuperman, PhD
Abstract 

“Opto-acoustic imaging of a receptor-targeted contrast agent for detection of aggressive breast cancer.” 
David Vera, PhD, and Anne Wallace, MD
Abstract

“Enzyme-directed assembly of particle diagnostics for guided surgical resection of tumors.” 
Nathan Gianneschi, PhD, and Quyen Nguyen, MD, PhD
Abstract

“Radiation sparing of eloquent cortex in brain tumor patients using advanced quantitative neuroimaging and knowledge-based planning.”
Jona Hattangadi-Gluth, MD, and Kevin Moore, PhD
Abstract​