With a focus on community-specific risks, this postdoc reveals the molecular roots of pancreatic cancer to guide personalized care.<\/p>\n
Image credit:The University of Texas at El Paso, \u00a9iStock.com, Jezperklauzen<\/a>Q | Write a brief introduction to yourself including the lab you work in and your research background. <\/p>\n I introduce myself as Zahid Rafiq<\/a>. Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow and a cancer pharmacologist serving for the School of Pharmacy here at the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP). I am engaged in advanced pancreatic cancer research under a career transition program funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT-TREC). My current research focuses on investigating mechanisms and risk factors specific to the Hispanic population that lead to tumorigenesis at the molecular and cellular levels, aiming to develop personalized anticancer strategies.<\/p>\n Q | How did you first get interested in science and\/or your field of research? <\/p>\n I have worked in world class institutes including MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), where I worked as a postdoctoral fellow. Here, my research focused on developing combined therapeutic strategies using low-dose radiotherapy (LD-XRT) and adoptively transferred CAR-T cells to ensure durable responses that control metastatic disease. In addition to this, I also finished an immunometabolism project in collaboration with Takeda Pharma to find out the time and dose dependent effects of radiation on the metabolism of T cells. This project complemented my career goals and provided me with new knowledge to understand the role of radiation, immune responses, and cell therapy. In summary, I have the expertise, training, leadership, and motivation necessary to execute the proposed research project successfully. In addition to research endeavors, I am an active member of leading scientific organizations, including the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).<\/p>\n Continue reading below…<\/p>\n Like this story? Sign up for FREE Cancer updates:Latest science news storiesTopic-tailored resources and eventsCustomized newsletter contentSubscribe<\/a>Q | Tell us about your favorite research project you\u2019re working on.<\/p>\n My favorite research project has been developing combined therapeutic strategies using low-dose radiotherapy (LD-XRT) and adoptively transferred CAR-T cells to ensure durable responses that control metastatic disease.<\/p>\n Q | What do you find most exciting about your research project? <\/p>\n The most exciting part of my scientific journey has been doing interesting projects and conferences.<\/p>\n Q | If you could be a laboratory instrument, which one would you be and why?<\/p>\n If I could be a laboratory instrument, I would like to be a digital scanner and reader as it is fast and reliable.<\/p>\n