Research for Early Detection

Yu Chen, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of Maryland

I am deeply grateful to the Prevent Cancer Foundation for supporting my research career in optical imaging for early cancer detection. Previously, I was supported by a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Prevent Cancer Foundation in 2004-2006. This was my first research grant and was a critical learning experience for me to administrate a research project. The fellowship provided the essential support for conducting my proposed research – early detection of esophageal cancer using ultrahigh-resolution endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT). The fellowship support facilitated me to formulate the research targets, develop the instrument and algorithms, collect and analyze data, and report the results in journal and conference publication. In addition, the clinical-oriented research provided me an excellent opportunity to better understand the clinical problems and requirements for technology development in detecting cancer.

The fellowship greatly enhanced my interests and motivation to continue researching cancer prevention based on early detection with optical imaging techniques. I was very fortunate to be awarded another research grant from the Prevent Cancer Foundation for developing needle-based optical imaging technology for guiding breast cancer biopsy last year. This grant is a catalyst to my independent research career. During the last year’s support period, our lab has published 6 peer-reviewed journal papers and submitted numerous grant proposals based on the preliminary data generated by this grant funding. We have been successfully awarded one grant from the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) to investigate novel integrated cancer imaging and therapy technology using molecular-targeting nanoparticles.

The above research progress and career advancement would not have been possible without the critical support from the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Therefore, I am especially thankful for the support I received from the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

Editor’s Note: This post is  part of the 25th Anniversary Testimonials Initiative.