Clark Atlanta University (CAU) announced last week that Dr. Valerie Odero-Marah, associate professor and researcher in the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development (CCRTD), has received a new grant of $289,494 from the National Cancer Institute to support her research. Her project, titled “The Role of SNAIL Signaling in Prostate Cancer Metastasis,” will be conducted for the next three years.
African-Americans have the highest bone density as compared to any other race. This project will study whether SNAIL protein (a protein found in the human body) is higher in African-American prostate cancer patients compared to other races, and whether these cancer cells expressing SNAIL are more attracted to high bone density found in African-American men, resulting in more aggressive prostate cancer.
Dr. Shafiq Khan, director of CCRTD, said, “We are proud of Dr. Odero-Marah and her achievements noted by this prestigious award. The funds will help us to continue to develop therapeutic strategies for fighting prostate cancer, bringing us closer to a medical solution.”
