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The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has named Matthew Fernandez, B.S., a Ph.D. student in the VCU School of Pharmacy, as a recipient of the 2023 AACR Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award.

Fernandez is co-mentored by Douglas H. Sweet, Ph.D., chair of Pharmaceutics and E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor at the VCU School of Pharmacy; and Sandro R.P. da Rocha, Ph.D., professor of Pharmaceutics and director for Pharmaceutical Engineering at the School of Pharmacy and a member of VCU Massey Cancer Center’s Developmental Therapeutics research program.

“We are delighted and very proud that he is being recognized by AACR with this prestigious Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award,” said da Rocha. “This award not only validates his work, but it also helps him understand that he has the environment and all of the support to continue to aim high and be the best he can be.”

Fernandez presented research in the area of nanomedicine at the 2023 AACR Annual Meeting.

Matthew Fernandez, B.S., presents his research at the 2023 AACR Annual Meeting.

“My research is focused on improving chemotherapy efficacy for triple-negative breast cancer with macrophage-targeted immunotherapy,” Fernandez explained. “Our goal is to develop a combination therapy strategy that enhances the standard of care by reprogramming the breast tumor to a pro-inflammatory phenotype.”

According to the AACR, the purpose of the Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award program is to increase the scientific knowledge base of minority scientists and to encourage them to pursue careers in cancer research.

“This award means a lot to me because it shows that my lab is doing good work and making strides towards improving patient outcomes for those diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer,” said Fernandez. “It feels good to represent the Hispanic community.”

Added da Rocha, “Matthew is only in his first year of his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences and clearly has a brilliant few years ahead of him.”

Fernandez joined more than a dozen VCU Massey Cancer Center researchers for the 2023 AACR Annual Meeting, held April 14-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Written by: Amy Lacey