UAB Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery Assistant Professor Andrea Gillis, M.D., MSPH, has been selected for the O’Neal Invests Catalyst Award. This funding initiative offers $50,000 in support for one year.

The O’Neal Invests Catalyst Award, supported by the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides funding for innovative cancer-related research projects. This funding enables researchers to conduct key preliminary work that forms the foundation for competitive grant applications, ultimately accelerating the translation of research findings into clinical applications.

Gillis’s awarded project, “Defining the Impact of Prescription Amphetamine Use on Solid Cancer Outcomes,” aims to explore the effects of amphetamines on cancer prognosis. Her research project works towards providing insights that may shape future cancer treatment protocols.

“I am truly honored to receive the O’Neal Invests Catalyst Award,” said Gillis. “This funding provides a valuable opportunity to explore the potential links between prescription amphetamines and cancer outcomes, a largely uncharted area of research with the potential to improve patient care.”

Gillis has been previously recognized for her dedication to advancing cancer research and education. She participated in the NCI Early-Stage Surgeon Scientist Program and received the Dr. Sharon Spencer Legacy Award from the Cancer Awareness Network.