Second annual PICR Recognition Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to cancer research
In a growing tradition at the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR), faculty members, trainees and staff gathered at the Purdue Memorial Union on April 10 to recognize exceptional contributions to cancer research within the institute. The ceremony honored individuals whose efforts are helping to advance science, collaboration and community across PICR.
PICR director Andrew Mesecar has emphasized that the award ceremony is not only a celebration of the awardees’ accomplishments, but also a reflection of the institute’s strong investment in its people and in building a sense of community. “The PICR community members we are honoring today exemplify the excellence and commitment that drive our mission forward,” Mesecar said.
Get to know the 2025 PICR Award recipients:
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Research Award
Ella Rose “Roe” Chianis
Roe Chianis, a senior majoring in chemical biology and biochemistry in the College of Science, has distinguished themself as an exceptional undergraduate researcher. Chianis has demonstrated remarkable technical skill, critical thinking and scientific maturity, with expertise spanning a wide range of wet-lab techniques. They have contributed to multiple research projects and co-authored scientific manuscripts, including a second-author publication in Oncogene.
In addition to their research achievements, Chianis has received academic honors such as second-place poster at Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Research Day, and will continue their scientific training in a PhD program at the Mayo Clinic.
Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award
Hytham Gadalla
Hytham Gadalla is recognized for his outstanding cancer research as a Purdue doctoral student. His work has focused on improving the delivery and effectiveness of cancer therapeutics, including a novel nanocrystal formulation of carfilzomib and an innovative RNA delivery platform known as Nanosac.
Through careful formulation design and in vivo studies, Gadalla has contributed to advancing drug delivery strategies for small molecules and small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based immunotherapies. His research has demonstrated creativity, technical excellence and a deep understanding of challenges in the field. He also has been a dedicated mentor and collaborator throughout his graduate training. As he is poised to begin the next chapter of his career at Merck, PICR proudly recognizes him with this award.
Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow Research Award
Chaylen Andolino
Chaylen Andolino, a postdoctoral researcher in nutrition science, is recognized for her innovative and impactful research focused on uncovering how altered lipid metabolism contributes to metastatic breast cancer. Her work explores longstanding questions about how cancer cells produce, store and use lipids, leading to insights that may help explain why some tumors are more aggressive and resistant to treatment.
Leveraging mass spectrometry-based approaches including untargeted proteomics and isotope tracing metabolomics, Andolino applies advanced tools to better understand how cancer metabolism supports disease progression. She also has earned praise for her collaborative leadership, thoughtful mentorship and dedication to improving outcomes for patients with cancer. These qualities have made her a trusted collaborator and a valued leader in the lab. Her commitment to discovery and community reflects the spirit of this award.
Graduate Student Mentor Award
Claire Pfeffer
Claire Pfeffer, a graduate research assistant in biological sciences, is recognized for her exceptional commitment to mentorship in the lab and in the broader cancer research community. Throughout her doctoral training at Purdue, she has made it a priority to guide and support undergraduate researchers. Her thoughtful guidance and individualized support have helped her mentees secure research funding, develop confidence at the bench, pursue advanced degrees and shape their futures in science and medicine.
Pfeffer approaches mentorship with intention and care — adapting her style to each student’s needs, fostering independence and creating an environment where young scientists feel capable and inspired. Alongside her mentorship, she also is a skilled and thoughtful cancer researcher whose work explores signaling mechanisms in pancreatic cancer. Known for her patience, adaptability, and passion, Pfeffer’s dedication to teaching and mentoring reflects the values at the heart of PICR’s training mission.
Outstanding Service and Engagement Award
Subhadeep Das
Nimod Dilushan Janson
Bozhi Liu
Hye Seung “Regina” Nam
Kenan Emin Ozcan
Ikjot Singh Sohal
Dilinaer Wusiman
Subhadeep Das, Nimod Dilushan Janson, Bozhi Liu, Hye Seung “Regina” Nam, Kenan Emin Ozcan, Ikjot Singh Sohal and Dilinaer Wusiman are honored for their exceptional leadership and service as the founding officers of the PICR Society of Research Fellows (PICR-SRF). While each advanced their individual research, the PICR-SRF officers have worked to build a supportive, collaborative environment for cancer research trainees.
Under their leadership, PICR-SRF has launched career-development seminars, peer-mentoring opportunities and community-building events, all designed to help trainees grow professionally and personally. The team’s efforts have created lasting foundation for mentorship, connection and engagement within the institute.
Early Career Research Achievement Award
Elizabeth “Betsy” Parkinson
Betsy Parkinson, assistant professor of chemistry in the College of Science and assistant professor of medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology in the College of Pharmacy, is recognized for scientific contributions that go far beyond her graduate work and have already begun to shape the field of natural product–based drug discovery.
Parkinson has built a dynamic and productive research program to uncover and engineer natural molecules with therapeutic potential. Her work combines chemical biology, synthesis and bioinformatics to address longstanding challenges in drug development, and has resulted in novel strategies for targeting cancer and drug-resistant infections.
Mid-career Research Achievement Award
Majid Kazemian
Majid Kazemian, associate professor of biochemistry in the College of Agriculture and associate professor of computer science in the College of Science, is recognized for his field-shaping contributions to cancer research through the integration of computational biology, virology and immunology.
Kazemian’s research has advanced understanding of virus-associated cancers, immune response and host-pathogen interactions, with findings published in high-impact journals and collaborations spanning Purdue and leading national institutions. As co-leader of PICR’s Cell Identity and Signaling scientific program, he also has strengthened the work of colleagues across the institute, contributing to collaborative grants and shared discoveries.
Career Research Achievement Award
Dorothy Teegarden
Dorothy Teegarden, professor in the Department of Nutrition Science in the College of Health and Human Sciences, and associate director of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, is recognized for her exceptional scientific leadership and decades of commitment to advancing cancer research at Purdue and beyond.
Teegarden, who also is director of the Women’s Global Health Institute, has played a key role in shaping PICR’s scientific priorities and expanding its research and training programs. Her research has advanced understanding of how vitamin D, lipid metabolism and nutritional factors influence cancer development and progression. She also has secured major external funding for interdisciplinary research and training, including a current NIH R01 study on obesity-driven breast-cancer progression. She also is leading the development of a new training grant aimed at supporting cancer-focused graduate education.
As a respected scientist, leader and collaborator with a global recognition for scholarship and mentorship, Teegarden also demonstrates a deep commitment to building a collaborative infrastructure at Purdue. All of these attributes exemplify the values and impact recognized by this award.