Dr. Martha Gay has received a K01 award!
Congratulations to our trainee Martha Dee Gay, Ph.D., her diligent work has led to her receiving a K01 grant!
The K01 NIH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award provides support and protected time for 5 years for an intensive, supervised career development experience in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence.
About Dr. Gay’s research:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are highly prevalent in the United States and becoming a global epidemic. These conditions are an increasing cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC cases are expected to increase between 2015-2030 by 146%. Few treatments are available to prevent NASH progression except for weight loss and vitamin E, and; vitamin E therapy does not reverse fibrosis. Dr. Gay's research has focused on the role of a G-protein coupled receptor, the cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor, in liver carcinogenesis, inflammation, and fibrosis. CCK receptors are over-expressed in gastrointestinal cancers (stomach and pancreas) and stimulate growth when activated by ligands CCK or gastrin. Proglumide is an older drug initially developed for peptic ulcer disease decades ago and is safe in humans. Therefore, if her research shows proglumide is an effective therapy for HCC by targeting CCK receptors, it could easily be repurposed for treating patients with this malignancy.
Way to go Martha!
