Dr. Katira, received a $223,965 grant from the NSF to study the impact of stress hormones on cancer progression

The project is a collaboration between SDSU and UCLA where the aim is to study the effect of stress hormones released in the body on cancer cell mechanics, which can then influence processes such as cell migration and metastasis in tumors. Stress is a key negative indicator in patient prognosis and survival for cancer patients. However, the molecular level processes that connect stress with actual disease outcomes are mostly unknown. This project will help uncover these links using experimental data and computational modeling. This is a 3-year project which will support one doctoral student and one undergraduate summer research assistant at SDSU. In addition, the grant will also support a joint mechanobiology workshop between SDSU and UCLA for undergraduate students from both schools. The abstract for the award can be found at https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1905390&HistoricalAwards=false.