Jianmei Leavenworth, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery has been awarded a pre-R01 grant from the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her project, titled “Prognostic Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Cancer,” may have significant implications for the future of cancer immunotherapy.

The O’Neal Invests program, which funds this grant, supports UAB investigators initiating new cancer-related projects. This $160,000 grant, distributed over two years, will enable Leavenworth and her collaborator, Bernadette Marquez-Nostra, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Radiology, to conduct essential preliminary research. This initial funding is critical for researchers looking to secure competitive extramural funding, particularly R01 grants, within the next two years.

Applications for the latest round of O’Neal Invests grants were submitted in spring 2024. The pre-R01 grant aims to elevate innovative projects like Leavenworth’s to the next level, ensuring they are well-positioned for future development.

To learn more about O’Neal Invests, visit the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.