Member News

The Breast Cancer Coalition is pleased to award $75,000 in seed grant funding to two researchers from our region. The Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant is awarded to Daniel Steven Reynolds, PhD, in the amount of $50,000. The Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant is awarded to Yu-Wei Chang in the amount of $25,000.

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 both a breast cancer survivor and Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Coalition, I am continually inspired by the power of collaboration between researchers and survivor advocates,” said Christina Thompson. “These grant awards represent more than an investment in science; they represent hope for the future. By supporting innovative research and ensuring that the patient perspective remains at the forefront, we are helping drive discoveries that have the potential to improve and save lives.”

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 $1,301,125 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

Daniel Steven Reynolds, PhD, Binghamton University. “Bioprinted Human Triple Negative Breast Cancer Models to Investigate Novel Peptide-Based Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.”
Dr. Reynolds’ research aim is to establish a novel 3D bioprinted human breast cancer model composed of triple negative breast cancer cells and immune cells. The goal is to investigate a new peptide-based checkpoint inhibitor to improve immunotherapy in breast cancer. The research project is a collaborative effort between the Reynolds Lab’s µPOROS bioprinting platform and Dr. John Fetse Lab’s library of peptidomimetic analogs.

Dr. Reynolds received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University and completed his postdoctoral training at Harvard University. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Binghamton University, where he leads the Biofabrication and Cancer Engineering Lab. His lab integrates principles of mechanical engineering, materials science, and biology.

Yu-Wei Chang, PhD Candidate, Cornell University. “Regulation of Exosome Secretion by Sirtuin 1 as a Determinant of Breast Cancer Metastasis.”
Yu-Wei Chang’s research project explores how the loss of the protein Sirtuin 1 in triple negative breast cancer increases the release of small extracellular vesicles (EVs), commonly known as exosomes. These vesicles travel through the bloodstream to distant organs, effectively priming them for cancer colonization and metastasis. By uncovering how Sirtuin 1-regulated exosomes drive the spread of cancer, Chang’s work holds the potential to unlock groundbreaking new diagnostic tools and targeted therapies.

Chang is a fifth-year PhD candidate in the Biomedical and Biological Science program at Cornell University, specializing in molecular oncology. Committed to advancing cancer biology, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science and Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at two distinct universities in Taiwan before pursuing his doctoral studies at Cornell.

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 a pre- or post-doctoral trainee or fellow. 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.