My name is Theresa O’Brien and I have a passion for cancer research because of the journey my family and I went on when my older sister Catie was diagnosed with a very rare pediatric brain tumor called an Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor. Since then I have been curious about the brain and all of the ways that it can be impacted by disease states, with a special interest in ATRTs.
While I was in undergrad at Marywood University I wrote my Capstone paper on the use of viral vectors as a treatment plan for this tumor type. This was followed by two independent undergraduate research projects where I studied yeast cells mutated in the same way as in the ATRT disease state, and then on how spinal presentations of this tumor can lead to variations in symptomology and outcomes.
Now in the Yang Lab at Temple University I plan to apply the methods and research that they have been developing to ATRT cells and determine more about their physiology to hopefully unlock new doors in treatment and prevention of this tumor type.
If you would like to learn more about my family’s story please check out the website https://www.catieswish.org/, and if you would like to learn more about the Yang Lab please check out https://yanglab.com/