Member News

The Breast Cancer Coalition is pleased to award $100,000 in seed grant funding to three researchers from our region. The Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant is awarded to Ajay Dhakal, MD, a Medical Oncologist at the Wilmot Cancer Institute in the amount of $50,000. The Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant is awarded to Fatemeh Alimohammadi and Zachary Robert Smith, doctoral candidates at the University of Rochester, in the amount of $25,000 per grant.

A unique feature of the Coalition’s Research Initiative is the essential input and involvement of survivor advocates in the grant proposal review process. As Christina Thompson, Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Coalition, shares, "I’m honored to be part of an organization that places such a high value on survivor advocates having a seat at the table. Through our Research Initiative, the Breast Cancer Coalition ensures that the voices of those most impacted by a diagnosis are heard, respected, and meaningfully included in shaping the future of breast and gynecologic cancer research.”

Since 2003, the Coalition has annually awarded grants to fund innovative projects with the potential to yield significant medical breakthroughs in the cause and prevention of breast cancer, prevention of metastasis, and cure. With these latest awards, the Coalition has provided $1,226,125 in funding to researchers in New York State. Grant recipients are selected through a competitive application and review process involving regional scientists, clinicians, and survivor advocates.

About the Grant Recipients

Ajay Dhakal, MD, “Factors Associated with CNS Recurrence of Primary Triple Negative Breast Cancer.”

Dr. Dhakal is looking at the primary tumor characteristics in early diagnosed triple negative breast cancer patients to study which patients are at high risk of developing brain recurrence. The aim of the research is to develop an accurate model to predict brain metastasis. Those patients at high risk can be treated with drugs with central nervous system (CNS) activity and can be screened more frequently.

Dr. Dhakal is a Medical Oncologist at the Wilmot Cancer Institute through the University of Rochester Medical Center. His research and clinical trials focus on breast cancer patients with brain metastasis. He studied medicine in Kathmandu, Nepal. Dr. Dhakal completed his residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, and performed his fellowship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York.

Fatemeh Aliohammadi, PhD Candidate, “Understanding Glutathione-Related Dipeptide Metabolism in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.”

           

Alimohammadi’s research challenges the conventional notion that antioxidants protect cells and help fight diseases like cancer. Glutathione is an antioxidant, and when it breaks down, it can fuel tumor growth in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The aim of the study is to identify the mechanisms involved in the breakdown of glutathione and potentially develop more effective therapeutic targets for triple negative breast cancer.

Fatemeh Alimohammadi grew up in Babol, a small city in the north of Iran. Her love for science was deeply ingrained by her mother, a science teacher, at an early age. She did her undergraduate studies in Biology and graduate studies in Genetics in Iran. She finally travelled “across the world” to the University of Rochester Medical School where she continues her studies in Biomedical Genetics in Dr. Isaac Harris’ laboratory.

Zachary Robert Smith, PhD Candidate, “Epigenetics Regulation of Hormone Therapy Resistance in Breast Cancer by the KDM5 Demethylases.”

Smith’s research investigates the role that KDM5s play in hormone therapy resistance in ER+ breast cancer. KDM5s are a family of enzymes that, among other functions, help to regulate gene expression. Smith hypothesizes that KDM5 activity promotes estrogen driven growth and hormone therapy resistance in breast cancer. He has designed several experiments with the aim of improving the understanding of drug resistance.

His interest is in cancer biology and epigenetics, having been fascinated by genetics and cell biology since his first biology courses back in high school. Smith holds degrees in Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry from the University of Rochester. He is enrolled in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program at the University of Rochester.

 

About the Research Grants

 

The Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant

The Breast Cancer Coalition’s Research Faculty Grant is named in memory of Sylvia Cappellino, founder of the Breast Cancer Coalition. Annually, the Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant is offered as a one-year $50,000 grant for faculty applicants and is open to researchers from for-profit or not-for-profit institutions located in New York State. This grant is awarded with the potential to yield significant medical breakthroughs in the cause and prevention of breast cancer, prevention of metastatic progression, and cure.

 

Sylvia Cappellino died on August 8, 2024. She was a founding member of the Breast Cancer Coalition and an unwavering advocate for research and survivorship programs. Sylvia was the definition of a survivor advocate and was also a cherished friend to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. From coordinating the very first meeting around her kitchen table in 1997, to supporting an organization and witnessing its growth to serve 27 counties in Western and Central New York, Sylvia Cappellino was a true changemaker. Her legacy will continue on in the Coalition’s four pillars of service: Support, Education, Advocacy, and Research.

The Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant

Annually, the Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant is offered to pre- and post-doctoral trainees and fellows. This grant is awarded with the potential to yield significant medical breakthroughs in the cause and prevention of breast cancer, prevention of metastatic progression, and cure.

Dr. Polashenski was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 47 and quickly became involved with the Breast Cancer Coalition. A beloved wife, mother, and physician, she served on the Coalition’s Board of Directors and Research Advisory Board and was committed to all efforts of the Coalition’s Advocacy Committee. Upon learning that her breast cancer had metastasized, Pam joined Common Ground, the Coalition’s networking group for those living with metastatic breast and/or gynecologic cancer. She leaves a lasting legacy in every aspect of the Coalition’s mission.

About the Breast Cancer Coalition

The Breast Cancer Coalition is an independent, grassroots, community-based organization serving those with breast and gynecologic cancers in Western and Central New York. We are dedicated to eradicating breast and gynecologic cancers through research and advocacy, while fostering community among those affected by these cancers through support and education. All programs and services are free of charge.

 

Our mission is to cultivate community among those affected by breast or gynecologic cancers; to empower informed decision-making through education, compassionate support, and advocacy; and to advance regional research with an ultimate goal to eradicate breast and gynecologic cancers.

 

The Coalition is the only full-scope, independently operated nonprofit organization focused specifically on breast and gynecologic cancers in all of Upstate New York.