Congratulations cancer center graduates
This month, 22 doctoral, master's and undergraduate students graduated from the University of Arizona who had been mentored by at least one cancer center member.
We congratulate them all for their hard work and dedication to preventing and curing cancer through research and collaboration. We are also grateful for strong mentorship from Cancer Center members Juanita Merchant, MD/PhD; Cynthia Miranti, PhD; Curtis Thorne, PhD; Megha Padi, PhD; Greg Rogers, PhD; Ronald Heimark, PhD; William Montfort, PhD; Chris Hulme, PhD; Robin Harris, PhD; Megan Skiba, PhD; Rina Fox, PhD, Monica Yellowhair, PhD; Travis Sawyer, PhD; Xinxin Ding, PhD; and Jennifer Bea, PhD.
Graduates
Doctoral students
Jennifer N. Daw
Degree: PhD, Cancer Biology GIDP
Dissertation: "The Role of Inflammation and Nitric Oxide Synthase 2 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis"
Mentors: Bill Montfort, PhD, and Ron Heimark, PhD
Graduation date: Winter 2024
Why cancer research: Being a part of the Native American Cancer Prevention (NACP) program during my undergraduate at the U of A sparked my interest in cancer research. Also, as an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, I am interested in doing cancer research with and for Native communities who are often overlooked and underserved in cancer care.
Namoonga Mantina
Degree: PhD, Health Behavior Health Promotion
Dissertation: "Closing the Gap: Catch-up HPV Vaccination among Young Adults"
Mentor: Purnima Madhivanan, PhD
Why cancer research: The cancer experience is a complex, multifaceted and nuanced journey. I am honored to play a role in helping alleviate the burden for our communities.
Dylan Miller
Degree: PhD, Epidemiology
Dissertation title: "Ultraviolet Radiation in High Risk Populations"
Mentor: Robin B. Harris, PhD
Graduation date: Summer 2025
Why cancer research: My interest in cancer research started due to the incredible example set forth by Dr. Robin Harris. Her example showed me that our work can improve the prevention and early detection of skin cancers to improve the quality of life for our community.
Jack Duy Tran
Degree: PhD, Cancer Biology, College of Medicine
Dissertation: “SNAI1 Negatively Regulates Prostate Cancer Cell Growth, and Drives Prostate Cancer Cell Invasion and Migration in the Context of Tumor Mirco-environment”
Mentor: Cynthia Miranti, PhD
Why cancer research: I've shared the pain with friends and family who had cancer, and wanted to contribute to finding cures in my own way. More than that, the discipline and skills gained from cancer research are applicable to addressing many other diseases.
Haley Q. Marcarian
Degree: PhD, Cancer Biology
Dissertation: “Renal Cancer Cells Acquire Immune Surface Protein Through Trogocytosis and Horizontal"
Mentor: Alfred Bothwell, PhD
Hooding: Cynthia Miranti, PhD
Why cancer research: Like so many people, I was deeply affected by losing a loved one to cancer at a young age. Pursuing a PhD in Cancer Biology meant that I could channel my passion for science into helping other people suffering from this terrible disease.
Julia Morris
Degree: PhD, Cellular and Molecular
Dissertation: "Phenotypic Profiling of Colon Tumor Organoid Monolayers Characterizes a FOLFOX-Induced, AKT-Driven Subpopulation of Chemoresistant Cells"
Mentor: Curtis Thorne, PhD
Graduation date: Winter 2024
Why cancer research: I became interested in cancer research years ago while watching my grandfather not only live with, but thrive in spite of a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Ever since, I have emulated the incredible team of doctors, researchers, and others who supported my grandfather during that time, making it my goal to become a physician scientist who is able to provide compassionate care to those with cancer while also conducting groundbreaking research to improve treatment options and quality of life for those same patients.
Samantha Rokey
Degree: PhD, Chemistry
Dissertation: "Development of Small Molecule Kinase Inhibitors: A Multi-Target Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer Treatment"
Mentor: Christopher Hulme, PhD
Graduation date: Summer 2025
Why cancer research: I chose cancer research because it’s a meaningful way to help people facing serious illnesses with limited treatment options, especially in the face of drug resistance. I'm motivated by the chance to turn scientific discoveries into real treatments that make a difference in patients’ lives.
Lisa M. Tran
Degree: PhD, Pharmacology and Toxicology
Dissertation: "Xenobiotic-Induced Lung Toxicity in Mouse Models and the Possible Roles of Macrophage CYP19A1"
Mentor: Xinxin Ding, PhD
Hooding: Catharine Smith
Graduation date: Summer 2025
Why cancer research: My interest in cancer research stems from how cancer has impacted my family. I hope that my work provides insight on potential targets for chemoprevention and therapeutic intervention.
Not pictured:
Justina Bonaventura
Natzem Lima
Anutr Sivakoses
Jiawen Yang
Ateh Zinkeng
Master's students
Adrielle Barcibal
Degree: Master of Science
Program: Clinical Translation Sciences
Graduation date: Summer 2025
Why cancer research: I am interested in cancer research because of the advancements made in this field that directly improve patients' lives. The complexity of cancer biology and the need for further research inspires me to keep learning, which is why I hope to contribute to future research that improves treatment and patient lives affected by cancer.
Juan Contreras III
Degree: Master of Science
Program: Clinical Translational Sciences
Mentor: Meghan Skiba, PhD
Why cancer research: Although not initially interested in cancer research, I was gradually introduced to studies that were indirectly related to cancer and found its relevance to a multitude of other health conditions. After a surge of cases in friends and family, I realized that everyone is impacted by cancer and if I could contribute in the slightest way and give the community, especially those underserved, representation in research and policy, it is a privilege with exponential power for a #CancerFreeAZ future.
Samantha Moya
Degree: Master of Public Health
Graduation date: Spring 2025
Why cancer research: I became interested in cancer research through my MPH internship, where I worked on a study addressing the psychosocial needs and quality of life among cancer survivors. This experience, combined with my clinical background, deepened my passion for improving outcomes through evidence-based, patient-centered interventions.
Not pictured:
Alisa Lyesina
Michelle Perez-Coronado
Bachelor's student
Bryce Wilson
Degree: B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology and B.A in Biochemistry
Graduation date: Spring 2025
Why cancer research: By increasing our understanding of the fundamental cellular mechanisms that go awry in diseases like cancer, we can build better therapeutics. I love microscopy and molecular biology so getting to apply techniques in these areas to answer questions about cancer biology has been amazing!