Michigan State University’s Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) and the Aitch Foundation have selected three graduate students as recipients of the 2026 Aitch Foundation Fellowship. The fellowship supports promising graduate researchers whose work advances cancer research through early detection and diagnostics, investigations of the genetic and cellular mechanisms that drive tumor development, and the discovery of new therapeutic targets and treatments.
Each fellowship provides $30,000 in support for a 12-month period, enabling recipients to advance innovative research projects with the potential to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes.
2026 Aitch Foundation Fellowship recipients
Maggie Lee, Biomedical Engineering
A Biomimetic Exosome-Coated Gadolinium-Doped Prussian Blue Nanoplatform for Multimodal Theranostics of Glioblastoma
Maggie Lee, a doctoral candidate in biomedical engineering, is developing a multifunctional nanoparticle platform designed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. Her research combines targeted drug delivery, enhanced imaging capabilities, and photothermal therapy in a single system to improve the precision of brain tumor detection and minimally invasive treatment. The project aims to enable more effective tumor localization while reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, ultimately supporting safer and more effective therapies for patients with glioblastoma.
Anthony Schulte, Pharmacology and Toxicology
Elucidating Tumorigenic Mechanisms of a Novel RARA-AEBP1 Interaction in Breast Cancer
Anthony Schulte, a doctoral candidate in pharmacology and toxicology, is investigating how interactions between two proteins, RARA and AEBP1, contribute to breast cancer development. His research seeks to understand how genetic alterations in RARA promote tumor growth and treatment resistance through previously unrecognized cellular mechanisms. By identifying how these pathways drive disease progression, the project may reveal new therapeutic vulnerabilities and potential treatment strategies for patients with breast cancer.
James Lord, Cell and Molecular Biology
Evaluating TPPP3 as a Novel Drug Target in Ovarian Cancer
James Lord, a doctoral student in the Cell and Molecular Biology Program, is studying a protein known as TPPP3 that has emerged as a potential driver of chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer. His research focuses on understanding how TPPP3 promotes tumor growth and resistance to platinum-based therapies while identifying existing FDA-approved compounds that may be effective against cancers expressing the protein. The work could help uncover new treatment options for patients with ovarian cancer who have limited therapeutic alternatives.
Investing in tomorrow’s cancer research leaders
The Aitch Foundation Fellowship program reflects the shared commitment of the Aitch Foundation and Michigan State University to advancing innovative cancer research and supporting the next generation of scientific leaders. More than 10 graduate students competed for the Aitch Foundation Fellowship. Top applicants were selected by a faculty advisory committee based upon research accomplishments, potential for future contributions to cancer research, and programmatic fit. Final selection was determined by the Board of the Aitch Foundation. Recipients will make a presentation on their research to the Aitch Foundation Board at the end of their Fellowship year.