A Grant of Her Own: The Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research

Livia Eberlin, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, has been awarded a Grant of Her Own: The Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research for Dr. Eberlin’s pioneering work with the MassSpec Pen (MSPen), a revolutionary device set to redefine intraoperative tumor boundary identification. This grant will support research in rectal cancer with Co-Principal Investigator Atif Iqbal, M.D., associate professor and chief of the Section of Colorectal Surgery. Current methods used in rectal cancer surgery like gross examination and frozen section analysis lack accuracy, often leading to unnecessary surgeries and long-term bowel issues in cancer patients. The MSPen offers rapid, non-destructive molecular tissue analysis, for precise margin assessment. Dr. Eberlin’s team is committed to refining this technology for clinical trials and FDA approval.  

This $800,000 grant is from The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a nonprofit founded by ESPN and renowned basketball coach Jim Valvano to achieve victory over cancer. Since its inception in 1993, the V Foundation has allocated over $353 million in grants for cancer research across the nation, solidifying its position as a leading advocate for innovative cancer research.