Meet our SPARK Fellows

Introducing Cohort 8

Yiqun Shellman, PhD

Therapeutic Potential of Targeting MCL1 to Improve Cancer Therapies

Therapeutic Potential of Targeting MCL1 to Improve Cancer Therapies

This project aims to address the challenges of discovering effective therapies for cancers, particularly melanoma, by focusing on improving immunotherapies. Despite notable advancements, a significant percentage of melanoma patients do not respond or relapse from current treatments. The researchers propose investigating MCL1 expression in myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) as a potential biomarker to predict response/resistance to immunotherapies. Additionally, they aim to explore the therapeutic potential of MCL1 inhibitors to enhance the efficacy of current immunotherapies. The research team comprises experts in BCL2 family targeting, clinical research for immunotherapies, and designing melanoma clinical trials, making this an interdisciplinary effort with promising potential to advance cancer treatment. Collaborators: Richard Tobin, PhD, Martin McCarter, MD and Theresa Medina, MD

Dr. Shellman's Faculty Profile

Cohort 7

Jessica Rove, MD

Jessica Rove, MD

Colorado Chest Tube

Juan-Pablo Idrovo, MD

Juan-Pablo Idrovo, MD

Gastrostomy Tube Guardian

Rui Zhao, PhD

Rui Zhao, PhD

Developing a First-in-Class Allosteric Eya2 Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor for Brain Cancer Therapy

Sujatha Venkataraman, PhD

Development of Gated Dual-antigen Targeting CAR-T Cell Therapy to Treat ATRT, an Aggressive Brain Tumor in Children

zhirui_wang_500

Zhirui Wang, PhD

Bivalent CD47 Immunotoxin for Targeted Therapy of T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Other CD47+ Cancers

Cohort 6

Yiqun Shellman, PhD

Therapeutic Potential of Targeting MCL1 to Improve Cancer Therapies

Therapeutic Potential of Targeting MCL1 to Improve Cancer Therapies

This project aims to address the challenges of discovering effective therapies for cancers, particularly melanoma, by focusing on improving immunotherapies. Despite notable advancements, a significant percentage of melanoma patients do not respond or relapse from current treatments. The researchers propose investigating MCL1 expression in myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) as a potential biomarker to predict response/resistance to immunotherapies. Additionally, they aim to explore the therapeutic potential of MCL1 inhibitors to enhance the efficacy of current immunotherapies. The research team comprises experts in BCL2 family targeting, clinical research for immunotherapies, and designing melanoma clinical trials, making this an interdisciplinary effort with promising potential to advance cancer treatment. Collaborators: Richard Tobin, PhD, Martin McCarter, MD and Theresa Medina, MD

Dr. Shellman's Faculty Profile

Cohort 5

Yiqun Shellman, PhD

Therapeutic Potential of Targeting MCL1 to Improve Cancer Therapies

Therapeutic Potential of Targeting MCL1 to Improve Cancer Therapies

This project aims to address the challenges of discovering effective therapies for cancers, particularly melanoma, by focusing on improving immunotherapies. Despite notable advancements, a significant percentage of melanoma patients do not respond or relapse from current treatments. The researchers propose investigating MCL1 expression in myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) as a potential biomarker to predict response/resistance to immunotherapies. Additionally, they aim to explore the therapeutic potential of MCL1 inhibitors to enhance the efficacy of current immunotherapies. The research team comprises experts in BCL2 family targeting, clinical research for immunotherapies, and designing melanoma clinical trials, making this an interdisciplinary effort with promising potential to advance cancer treatment. Collaborators: Richard Tobin, PhD, Martin McCarter, MD and Theresa Medina, MD

Dr. Shellman's Faculty Profile

Cohort 4

Cohort 3

Cohort 2

Cohort 1

CU Innovations

CU Anschutz

Anschutz Health Sciences Building

1890 N Revere Ct

Suite 6202

Mail Stop F411

Aurora, CO 80045


303-724-3720

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