Porter Cancer Research Center

Mr. Andrew Kump
Department of Biology
Ph.D. student, expected graduation Fall 2021
Email: akump@sycamores.indstate.edu

Mr. Kump is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biology at Indiana State University completing his final semesters of study. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree from Indiana State University in 2016. While still an undergraduate student athlete at Indiana State University, he developed a passion for biology and genetics by sequencing the genome of a virulent strain of the Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria under the aegis of The Center for Genomic Advocacy and Dr. Kyu Hong Cho, an achievement that led to his first published manuscript. His subsequent pursuit of a Ph.D. under the guidance of Dr. Shaad M. Ahmad has led to the publication of two more manuscripts; the preparation of three more manuscripts for publication; numerous platform and poster presentations at regional and international conferences such as the Annual Meetings of the Indiana Academy of Science, the Midwest Drosophila Conferences, and the Genetics Society of America Annual Drosophila Research Conferences; and multiple awards.

Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, Mr. Kump has made significant contributions to our understanding of cardiogenesis. These works are directly translatable to cancer as they elucidate key mechanisms and pathways for disease initiation, progression, and even metastatic potential. His work also shows significant promise toward clarifying the role of key molecules in gene regulation, cell fate specification, and cell division—thereby identifying new avenues of interest in cancer research. During his final semesters of study, Mr. Kump intends to complete his analysis of the intertwined roles of a group of proteins he has identified—Fox/Forkhead proteins, Myb proteins, polo kinases, citron kinases, anilins, and several kinesins—the disruption of which leads both to cancer and to congenital heart defects.

Ms. Keeley Cleghorn
Department of Biology
Ph.D. student, expected graduation Spring 2022
Email: kcleghorn2@sycamores.indstate.edu

Ms. Cleghorn is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biology at Indiana State University. After earning her Bachelor’s in Science with honors from Indiana State University, Ms. Cleghorn decided to pursue graduate work in order to continue to pursue her passion in cancer research. Her interests in the field began with the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program supported by The Center for Genomic Advocacy. Since that first summer, she has dedicated countless hours to investigations into Breast Cancer with an emphasis on the mechanisms of acquired chemoresistance.

Ms. Cleghorn has been working under the advisement of Dr. Catherine E. Steding for the past few years. The work thus far has resulted in one manuscript in review for publication and two additional manuscripts nearing submission. Ms. Cleghorn’s current focus is on the role of microtubule associated proteins in acquired chemoresistance against Paclitaxel. Her findings include a novel role for KIF14 in acquired chemoresistance indicating its potential as a both a biomarker of resistance and a therapeutic target. She recently presented these works at two conferences and won second place for her poster at the Midwest Graduate Research Symposium.

Mr. AJ Farmer
Department of Biology
Ph.D. student, expected graduation Spring 2023
Email: afarmer12@sycamores.indstate.edu

Mr. Farmer is a PhD student in Biology under the guidance of Dr. Kristopher Schwab. He earned his Pre- Medicine Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition Science from Purdue University in 2018, during which he became fascinated by the molecular, cellular, and developmental mechanisms underlying human congenital disease and cancer. During his time at Purdue, he pursued research in nutrition and human health within the laboratories of Dr. Nana Gletsu-Miller and Dr. Wayne Campbell. In Dr. Gletsu-Miller’s lab, he engaged in research in childhood nutrition. In Dr. Campbell’s lab, he investigated nutritional and exercise factors important for muscle gain and maintenance.

A molecular hallmark of cancer is the deviation from normal gene expression (transcription) found within originating cell or tissue. Normal transcription is regulated by protein complexes that impart “epigenetic” modifications upon DNA-binding proteins which maintain the transcriptional status of target genes through successive cell divisions. The abnormal placement of these epigenetic modifications within the genome and subsequent transcriptional dysregulation is increasingly identified within many cancers, chronic diseases, and congenital defects. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model of heart development, Mr. Farmer’s research in Dr. Schwab's laboratory has extended our knowledge of critical transcriptional and epigenetic regulation machinery necessary for proper heart cell division and embryonic heart patterning. The epigenetic and transcriptional regulatory proteins encoded by these genes are evolutionarily conserved from insects to humans and required for embryonic development, cellular differentiation, physiological function, and the overall health of the organism. By studying the gene regulatory function of the trithorax-family of histone methyltransferase complexes in the fruit fly, we can better understand the aberrant molecular and genetic mechanisms that cause developmental abnormalities, such as abnormal cell division, in human congenital heart disease and cancer. He has presented these scientific findings at the following conferences: The Annual Indiana Academy of Sciences Conferences, Midwest Drosophila Conferences, and a Genetics Society of America Annual Drosophila Research Conference.

Ms. Danielle Muse
Department of Biology
Ph.D. student, expected graduation Spring 2023
Email: dmuse@sycamores.indstate.edu

Ms. Muse is a third year student who recently progressed to Ph.D. candidate. She graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor’s in Science with honors in 2018. Ms. Muse has long been interested in human health. As a student athlete, she learned critical time management skills and the importance of holistic approaches in all areas. The passion and drive that enabled her to be a successful division I athlete led her to seek new avenues of training in our graduate program.

Ms. Muse has spent the past few years learning the essential foundation for culture and experimental activities associated with cancer research under the advisement of Dr. Catherine E. Steding. The work thus far has resulted in one manuscript in review for publication and another manuscript nearing submission. Ms. Muse’s project moving forward will emphasize the role of cellular signaling in acquired chemoresistance. Her focus is on key players and potential markers for chemoresistance through investigations into the Wnt signaling pathway. This pathway has been established as a major mechanism for disease activity in a variety of cancers thus further elucidating its role in acquired chemoresistance stands to further our understanding of a wide range of biological processes essential to cancer development, progression, and metastasis.

Mr. Rezaul Hasan
Department of Biology
Ph.D. student, entering Fall 2021
Email: mhasan4@sycamores.indstate.edu

Mr. Hasan completed a Bachelor’s degree in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh. His interests in cancer lie in the initiation and development of cancer from the perspective of cell division. He is particularly interested in how the processes controlling cell division becomes unregulated and unchecked. He plans to focus on research that enables clarification of the processes of cell division in heart development, cardiac disease, and cancer. His studies will be completed using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.

Mr. Hasan is a promising graduate student recruited to Indiana State University by Dr. Shaad M. Ahmad. His studies will begin in Fall 2021 with an anticipated graduation date of Spring 2026. The Porter Fellowship represents a perfect opportunity for Mr. Hasan to continue his studies at the graduate level and make significant contributions to cancer research.