VA-IPA for Christina Spaulding 12/2022-09/2023

Pancreatic cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Since the risk factors for pancreatic cancer - smoking, drinking, pancreatitis - are commonly seen in the VA population, there is also increased incidence of pancreatic cancer in VA patients. My lab is interesting in the factors that contribute to pancreatic cancer development and also understand the resistant mechanisms that make this cancer a highly deadly cancer. Christina is instrumental in our ongoing projects to understand the role of fibrosis and proteinases in pancreatic cancer progression. She has all the expertise that we need to successfully complete that proposed Specific Aims in our VA-funded Merit award. This work will allow us to identify key factors in pancreatic cancer progression and which one day could be targeted to increase survival of pancreatic cancer patients, including pancreatic cancer patients at the VA hospitals.