Andreana Holowatyj, a third-year doctoral candidate in the cancer biology program at the Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, is one of 15 scientists nationwide, and the only one from Michigan, selected to participate in the American Association for Cancer Research Early-Career Scientists Hill Day in Washington, D.C.
This is the first time AACR has invited early-career scientists to join the association on Capitol Hill.
On a whim, Holowatyj decided to submit an application to AACR to compete for the coveted opportunity to be among the elite group of AACR Associate Member scientist selected to meet with legislators and their staffs on Capitol Hill. The purpose: to thank members of Congress for providing $2 billion for the National Institutes of Health in fiscal year 2016 for the Omnibus Bill; advocate for robust, sustainable and predictable funding increases for the NIH in fiscal year 2017 and later; and to show support for Vice President Joseph Biden's "moonshot" initiative accelerating $680 million for cancer research.
Hill Day allows AACR Associate Members to engage in advocacy at the federal level, educate lawmakers on the progress and promise in cancer research and why it's important to invest in its future.
"I am thrilled to be selected to represent my follow scientists at Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine in this prestigious opportunity," Holowatyj said. "Cancer impacts all of us. Without increased and sustainable funding, research advancements will not be possible, resulting in many more people losing their battle with this disease. That's just not acceptable. We need to do all we can to advocate for cancer research funding."
Some of the other cancer centers being represented at Hill Day include Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, MD Anderson/University of Texas, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Winship Cancer Institute/Emory University and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center.
Serving the patient population in Detroit has inspired Holowatyj to focus her work in disparities, specifically studying African-American women who suffer from disproportionately high breast cancer mortality rates. Holowatyj seeks to understand and characterize benign breast lesions in order to gain awareness of the risks associated with developing breast cancer and help find ways to improve survival outcomes.
"Given the opportunity, I welcome the chance to showcase some of the amazing work going on at Karmanos, highlighting why funding for cancer research is so critical," she said.
Holowatyj is also working toward a graduate Certificate in Public Health Practice. Her area of focus has to do with understanding the genetic and racial disparities of breast cancer in Detroit.
She is working with mentor Michele Cote, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate professor of Oncology and associate center director for Education. In the clinic, Holowatyj shadows several physicians, including Elisabeth Heath, M.D., F.A.C.P., professor of Oncology and Medicine, and director of Prostate Cancer Research at Karmanos. Dr. Heath is also the Hartmann Endowed Chair for Prostate Cancer Research.
In addition, Holowatyj is a part-time instructor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wayne State University. Her enthusiasm for science encourages her students to consider pursuing a career in the cancer field.
"Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University have a long history of training outstanding cancer researchers and we're happy that Andreana Holowatyj, one of our Susan G. Komen for the Cure trainees, has the honor of representing us at the AACR Capitol Hill Day," Dr. Cote said.
"While I am passionate about my scientific research, I have found that having the opportunity to mentor the next generation of researchers is also fulfilling," Dr. Cote added. "Continued support of education and training of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and new faculty are crucial for us to keep progressing in the fight against cancer."
Holowatyj is a first-generation Ukrainian-American from Chicago who was raised in a close-knit family. She lost her father and grandfather when she was 11 years old and that experience immediately steered her interests to a career in medicine - dedicated to saving the lives of others. What fueled her focus on cancer research growing up was watching her grandfather tirelessly fight Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for over five years.
"Sitting in the hospital with him and reading books during his chemotherapy infusions became a regular occurrence. He always kept a smile for me, even during his toughest days," Holowatyj said. "Everyone has a personal story, an inspiration for their drive. These two men, my heroes, led me to find mine."
Holowatyj says her many accomplishments are a testament to the stellar training and mentorship she has received.
"My experience at Karmanos and Wayne State University will propel me into the next stages of my career. Ultimately, I aspire to become an academic physician and bridge my interests in cancer research with my passion to care for patients in the clinic."