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UCR/COH Cancer Research & Education (CARE) Partnership

UCR/City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center Partnership

Impact

38
Publications
40
Trainees
7
Community Events

Publications

    • Prognostic Impact of RTK-RAS Alterations in FOLFOX-Treated Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Revealed by Artificial Intelligence-Driven Precision Oncology  

    Learn more here: Prognostic Impact of RTK-RAS Alterations in FOLFOX-Treated Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Revealed by Artificial Intelligence-Driven Precision Oncology - PubMed 

    • Conversational AI-Enabled Precision Oncology Reveals Context-Dependent MAPK Pathway Alterations in Hispanic/Latino and Non-Hispanic White Colorectal Cancer Stratified by Age and FOLFOX Exposure 

    Learn more here: Conversational AI-Enabled Precision Oncology Reveals Context-Dependent MAPK Pathway Alterations in Hispanic/Latino and Non-Hispanic White Colorectal Cancer Stratified by Age and FOLFOX Exposure - PubMed 

    • Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Molecular Profiling of JAK-STAT Pathway Alterations in FOLFOX-Treated Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer 

    Learn more here: Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Molecular Profiling of JAK-STAT Pathway Alterations in FOLFOX-Treated Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer - PMC 

    • Prognostic Impact of RTK-RAS Alterations in FOLFOX-Treated Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Revealed by Artificial Intelligence-Driven Precision Oncology 

    Learn more here: Prognostic Impact of RTK-RAS Alterations in FOLFOX-Treated Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Revealed by Artificial Intelligence-Driven Precision Oncology - PubMed 

    • [Abstract] Artificial intelligence–enabled precision oncology in early-onset colorectal cancer: Molecular characterization using spatial proteomics, spatial transcriptomics, multi-omics, microbiome, social determinants, and clinical data. 

    Learn more here: Artificial intelligence–enabled precision oncology in early-onset colorectal cancer: Molecular characterization using spatial proteomics, spatial transcriptomics, multi-omics, microbiome, social determinants, and clinical data. | Journal of Clinical Oncology 

    • [Abstract] Artificial intelligence–enhanced biomarker analysis of WNT, TGF-β, and PI3K pathway alterations in FOLFOX-treated early-onset colorectal cancer in high-risk populations. 

    Link: Artificial intelligence–enhanced biomarker analysis of WNT, TGF-β, and PI3K pathway alterations in FOLFOX-treated early-onset colorectal cancer in high-risk populations. | Journal of Clinical Oncology 

    • [Abstract] WNT pathway alterations in bevacizumab-treated early-onset colorectal cancer: An artificial intelligence–driven and disparity-aware precision oncology analysis. 

    Learn more here: WNT pathway alterations in bevacizumab-treated early-onset colorectal cancer: An artificial intelligence–driven and disparity-aware precision oncology analysis. | Journal of Clinical Oncology 

    1. Molecular Alterations in TP53, WNT, PI3K, TGF-Beta, and RTK/RAS Pathways in Gastric Cancer Among Ethnically Heterogeneous Cohorts 

         Learn more here.

    2. Mixed-Methods Approach: Impact of Clinical Consenter Diversity on Clinical Trials Enrollment

         Learn more here.

    3. Gene Expression Associated with Endocrine Therapy Resistance in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer

         Learn more here.

    4. Ethnicity-Specific Molecular Alterations in MAPK and JAK/STAT Pathways in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer 

         Learn more here.

    5. Detecting PI3K and TP53 Pathway Disruptions in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Among Hispanic/Latino Patients 

         Learn more here. 

    6. Comparative Genomic Analysis of Key Oncogenic Pathways in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among Diverse Populations

         Learn more here.

    7. Molecular Heterogeneity in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: Pathway-Specific Insights in High-Risk Populations

         Learn more here.

    8. CRISPR Screening Reveals ZNF217 as a Vulnerability in High-Risk B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

    Learn more here. 

    9. PSPC1 Exerts an Oncogenic Role in AML by Regulating a Leukemic Transcription Program in Cooperation with PU.1

    Learn more here. 

    10. Nuclear Control of Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Venetoclax Efficacy in AML via COX4I1

    Learn more here. 

    11. Management of Peritoneal Metastasis in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

    Learn more here.

    12. AI-HOPE-TGFbeta: A Conversational AI Agent for Integrative Clinical and Genomic Analysis of TGF-β Pathway Alterations in Colorectal Cancer to Advance Precision Medicine

    Learn more here. 

    13. AI-HOPE: An AI-driven Conversational Agent for Enhanced Clinical and Genomic Data Integration in Precision Medicine Research

    Learn more here. 

    14. Assessment of MYC Gene and WNT Pathway Alterations in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Among Hispanic/Latino Patients Using Integrated Multi-Omics Approaches

    Learn more here. 

    15. Decoding the JAK-STAT Axis in Colorectal Cancer with AI-HOPE-JAK-STAT: A Conversational Artificial Intelligence Approach to Clinical–Genomic Integration

    Learn more here. 

    16. Revolutionizing Cancer Care: Dr. Enrique Velazquez Villarreal on AI-HOPE and the Future of Oncology

    Learn more here.

     

  • 1.  Insulin Resistance in Women Correlates with Chromatin Histone Lysine Acetylation, Inflammatory Signaling, and Accelerated Aging

    Learn more here.

    2. Translation Initiation Factor eIF1.2 Promotes Toxoplasma Stage Conversion by Regulating Levels of Key Differentiation Factors

    Learn more here.

    3. Single-Molecule Tracking Reveals Dynamic Regulation of Ribosomal Scanning

    Learn more here.

    4. Current State & Future Prospects of Spatial Biology in Colorectal Cancer

    Learn more here. 

    5. Target Degradation of Pin1 by Protein-Destabilizing Compounds

    Learn more here.

    6. Multiparametric Profiling of HER2-Enriched Extracellular Vesicles in Breast Cancer Using Single Extracellular VEsicle Nanoscopy 

    Learn more here. 

    7. MiR-155-5p Improves the Insulin Sensitivity of Trophoblasts by Targeting CEBPB in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

    Learn more here. 

    8. Chemerin Alleviates the Placental Oxidative Stress and Improves Fetal Overgrowth of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Mice Induced by High Fat Diet

    Learn more here. 

    9. Base-Excision Repair Pathway Regulates Transcription-Replication Conflicts in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

    Learn more here. 

    10. Importance of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography as Preoperative Staging Tests Prior to Liver Resection

    Learn more here. 

    11. Emerging Therapeutic Approaches for Peritoneal Metastases from Gastrointestinal Cancers

    Learn more here. 

    12. Using Artificial Intelligence and Statistics for Managing Peritoneal Metastases from Gastrointestinal Cancers

    Learn more here. 

    13. Safety of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosolized Chemotherapy in Biliary Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Metastases

    Learn more here. 

    14. Structural Basis of RfaH-Mediated Transcription-Translation Coupling

    Learn more here. 

    15. Structural Basis of Long-Range Transcription-Translation Coupling

    Learn more here. 

    16. Impact of Management Guidelines for Abnormal Cervical Cytology on Colposcopy Procedure Rates Among Young Women

    Learn more here. 

    17. Interpretation of Coefficients in Segmented Regression for Interrupted Time Series Analyses

    Learn more here. 

    18. FOXM1 Transcriptionally Co-Upregulates Centrosome Amplification and Clustering Genes and Is a Biomarker for Poor Prognosis in Androgen Receptor-Low Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

    Learn more here. 

    19. Kinesin Family Member C1 (KIFC1/HSET) Underlies Aggressive Disease in Androgen Receptor-Low and Basal-Like Triple-Negative Breast Cancers

    Learn more here. 

    20. SUMOylation of Bonus, the Drosophila Homolog of Transcription Intermediary Factor 1, Safeguards Germline Identity by Recruiting Repressive Chromatin Complexes to Silence Tissue-Specific Genes

    Learn more here. 

  • 1. MYC Acetylated Lysine Residues Drive Oncogenic Cell Transformation and Regulate Select Genetic Programs for Cell Adhesion-Independent Growth and Survival 

    Learn more here. 

    2. Analysis, Validation, and Discussion of Key Genes in Placenta of Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

    Learn more here. 

    3. The Parasporal Body of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis: A Unique Phage Capsid-Associated Prokaryotic Insecticidal Organelle

    Learn more here. 

Outreach Events

    • 8/1/2024, SAC Health Family Health & Fun Fair - San Bernardino County, At the Family Health and Fun Fair, we shared information about our educational offerings and connected with families while signing up attendees for our program mailing list. The event helped kick off the new school year with free backpacks, activities, workshops, and health resources for the community.
    • 10/2024, Fall Science Festival, City of Hope - This event focused on bringing together families for a science fair. We hosted a science fair for students between 6th-12 grade, hosted speaker sessions featuring U54 faculty and also offered hands-on activities to encourage life-long learning.
    • 2/2025, UCR Health & Research Symposium -  “Health and Community Research Best Practices,” as we explore the shift in health research from being “on” communities to research working “with” communities, fostering collaboration and empowerment. This one-day event is an opportunity to share insights and learn from diverse perspectives. Expect thought-provoking discussions during our expert panels, participate in hands-on workshops and engage in meaningful networking opportunities. We welcome faculty, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, staff, community partners, managed healthcare plans, non-profits, government partners, and the public to contribute your voice to this essential dialogue.
    • 6/2025, Summer Kickoff - Community event focused on bringing together families for a resource fair. We promoted our diabetes models and skin cancer models to highlight the importance of lifestyle choices and offered details about our partnership with guests.
    • 9/6/2025, Community Health Fair - Health fair focused on bringing together families for a resource fair. We promoted our diabetes models and skin cancer models to highlight the importance of lifestyle choices and offered details about our partnership with guests.
    • 9/25/2025, Health & Wellness Fair - Health fair focused on bringing together families for a resource fair. We promoted our diabetes models and skin cancer models to highlight the importance of lifestyle choices and offered details about our partnership with guests. 
    • 03/2024 Dr. Talisman led educational activities at Stem Savvy event at Pasadena City College. The event was open to middle school students in the community.
    • 05/2024: Community Listening Event, Riverside California. Discussion of clinical trials, barriers to clinical trials, and opportunities in drug development and clinical trials.
    • 05/2024: Community Listening Event, Palm Desert, UCR Campus. Discussion of why participate in clinical trials, community needs for clinical trials, challenges in communities living in Palm Desert and Mecca California.
    • 8/24: SAC  Family Health & Fun Fair: Alicia Ramirez & Angelica Sanchez provided San Bernardino community members with information about our research and training opportunities
    • Dr. Novak organized a Dean Research Day symposium open to students and faculty to showcase research opportunities.
    • 10/24: Fall Science Festival at City of Hope: Our U54 program managers presented information about our partnership to community members in the Los Angeles area. U54 researchers and collaborators also presented their work and the significance of community involvement in research. Additionally, the program managers connected with community members about educational opportunities through the U54 CARE Partnership & our collaborators. 
    • 10/24: Hispanic Heritage Month at University of California, Office of the President: Dr. Ernest Martinez presented on our U54 CARE Partnership, his research, and breast cancer research. 

Trainee Accomplishments – Beyond the U54 Activities 

  • Eduardo Casillas – Medical Student, UC Riverside School of Medicine (former 2025 CRSP Scholar, mentored by Dr. Enrique Velazquez-Villareal)
    • Presented his 2025 Cancer Research Scholar Program research finding at the 2025 Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) National Conference in Chicago.  
       
  • Eva Nelson – Medical Student, UC Riverside School of Medicine (former 2025 CRSP Scholar, mentored by Dr. Veronica Jones, MD)
    • Speaker at the 2025 ABRCMS conference in San Antonio, TX. The topic for her research talk was on Comparative Effects of Tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors on Bone Health in Women with Estrogen Receptor Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study. 
    • Presented an abstract on Comparative Effects of Tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors on Bone Health in Women With ER+ Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study at the 2026 RISE UP for Breast Cancer and Women’s Health conference in San Francisco, CA.  
    • Received a poster award for presenting her 2025 Cancer Research Scholar Program research findings at the UC Prime Conference hosted on January 23, 2025 at UC Riverside School of Medicine. 
       
  • Eric Morales – Medical Student, UC Riverside School of Medicine (former 2024 CRSP Scholar, mentored by Dr. Narissa Nonzee, PhD) 
    • Presented a research poster at the 2024 Academy Health ARM Conference 
    • Presented his 2024 CRSP research project at the National Health Services Research conference in Baltimore, MD. 
       
  • Nathaniel Co – Medical Student, UC Riverside School of Medicine (former 2024 CRSP Scholar, mentored by Dr. Betty R. Ferrell, PhD, MSN) 
    • Co-authored a paper with his 2025 CRSP mentor at City of Hope, Dr. Betty R. Ferrell. This manuscript was titled: Feasibility Testing of an APRN-Led Model of Care for Transition of Patients After Completion of Phase I Trials. To learn more: Feasibility Testing of an APRN-Led Model of Care for Transition of Patients After Completion of Phase I Trials - PMC 
    • Received a poster award based on his participation in the September 9, 2024 MolMed Symposium at UC Riverside, CA. 
    • Speaker and poster presenter at the Fall Science Festival hosted at City of Hope on   October, 5, 2024. At this event, he shared his research experience as a former 2024           CRSP scholar with local community parents and children that attended this event. 
       
  • Yash Metha - Medical Student, UC Riverside School of Medicine (former 2024 CRSP Scholar, mentored by Dr. Lisa D. Yee, MD) 
    • Received a poster award based on his participation in the September 9, 2024 MolMed Symposium at UC Riverside, CA. 

 

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