A micrograph depicting a dividing embryonic human kidney cell. Green marks the cellular boundary, red marks the mitochondria and blue shows the separating chromosomes.
Image courtesy of Sayantan Datta.
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Science in Pictures
Author: Natasha Giusti
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Q & A with Postdoctoral Researcher Tsunghan Hsieh, PhD, from the Tian Lab
Meet one of our early-career scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys: Tsunghan Hsieh, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Xiao Tian, PhD. Hsieh studies stem cell biology and regenerative medicine to learn how to protect brain health during aging.
When and how did you become interested in science?
When I was in high school, I became interested in biology. I started to study biology more and more so that I could go to university and advance to fields such as molecular biology and immunology.
Then I totally changed my track to focus on immunology because I found it so fascinating.
How has your scientific career evolved?
After I completed my master’s degree in Taiwan, I wanted to see how people use biology in the business world. I went to industry for a few years, and there I was exposed to different companies and distinct products in a variety of fields.
I learned that I needed a PhD to get access to the most exciting technology in this field, so I started to apply for PhD programs around the world. Eventually I received funding from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University and went to Japan to complete doctoral studies in immunology.
What brought you to the Tian lab at Sanford Burnham Prebys?
I was torn about staying in academia or going back to industry after earning my PhD. I decided that academia gave me the best chance to do something truly new and innovative.
After three years working in different roles in Japan and the Netherlands, I realized that I was most interested in the latest biotechnology. I needed to go to the country with the best biotechnology in the world.
Xiao and I connected on LinkedIn and began discussing his lab’s research on healthy aging. After one conversation, I decided to move to San Diego and join his lab.
What are the key areas of research you focus on?
My major project is to study how to reverse the aging process of neurons and other cells. During the aging process, neurons and other cells gain a very different phenotype.
We’re interested in a common mechanism behind this aging phenotype. As cells age, the chromosome structure and transcriptomic profiles become quite distinct from younger cells. If we can reverse this process, we may be able to help the brain stay healthier as people age, and less prone to conditions such as dementia that are more likely to afflict older individuals.
What motivates you about your research?
One thing that drives me is that I’ve found something that I truly like to do. Every day I walk into the lab with questions that I want to answer. If you have that kind of innate curiosity, science is a great outlet for it.
What do you like about working here?
I learned in my early scientific career that I was not as excited about fundamental research. Here at Sanford Burnham Prebys and in Xiao’s lab, I’m working on more translational science that fits my interests. I want to work on technology that benefits people and has the potential to be approved by regulators, commercialized and disseminated.
How would you describe the culture here?
Another one of the best things about working here is the people are friendly and open to collaboration. There are no hierarchies or traditions that get in the way of discussing potential collaborations.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not in the lab?
Outside of work, I’m usually taking care of my kid, getting her everywhere she needs to go and trying to enjoy some time together as a family. And I am also enjoying the region’s delicious tacos and learning Spanish!
Postdocs at Sanford Burnham Prebys are pushing the boundaries of science every day through curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. This series highlights their unique journeys, what inspires their work, and the impact they’re making across our labs.
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Sanford Burnham Prebys expert surveys science on how to treat the most common brain cancer
New editorial recommends a multimodal perspective examining glioblastoma from tumor biology through to surgery
Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of brain cancer. It also is the most common form of cancer that originates in the brain, making research into new and better therapies even more imperative.
Physician–scientist Theophilos Tzaridis, MD, a postdoctoral fellow at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in the lab of Peter Adams, PhD, recently surveyed promising glioblastoma studies after being invited to serve as a guest editor for a special issue of Frontiers in Oncology and Frontiers in Neurology.
More exact and safe surgeries
Tzaridis highlighted two studies focused on improving surgery for glioblastoma, as it continues to be the primary treatment for the disease. The recent publications discussed how to enhance the use of MRI to map out tumors and surrounding tissue, as well as other innovative mapping and monitoring techniques. These approaches would enable neurosurgeons to create better and safer plans for reducing risk of recurrence and avoiding side effects before starting surgery.
Targeted treatments and immunotherapies
Scientists have sought to add treatment options for glioblastoma beyond surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Some other cancers can be treated with targeted therapies that exploit a unique characteristic of certain tumors, but this approach has yet to yield long-term successes for glioblastoma patients. Tzaridis brought forward a case report of a patient whose tumors were nearly completely cleared by a targeted therapy after chemotherapy was unsuccessful. He suggests that future studies are warranted to identify patient subpopulations that can benefit from these treatments.
Theophilos Tzaridis, MD, a postdoctoral fellow at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. Image credit: Sanford Burnham Prebys.
Immunotherapies that supercharge the immune system to better detect and eliminate cancer have transformed the treatment of many blood cancers and solid tumors. It has not, however, yet born fruit as an effective treatment for glioblastoma. Tzaridis spotlights a study discussing the potential use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cells in glioblastoma rather than the more common CAR T-cell therapies.
The blood brain barrier and brain cancer biology
In addition to demonstrating how research is contributing to improving existing treatments and finding new potential therapies, Tzaridis emphasized the importance of continued studies of brain cancer cell biology and the obstacle to treatment posed by the blood brain barrier. He highlighted two studies focused on overcoming the blood brain barrier along with another two studies regarding cellular models and the use of extracellular vesicles to package and deliver treatments.
“With a multimodal perspective from addressing challenges in neurosurgery to improving our understanding of tumor biology and achieving therapeutic delivery into the brain, we have the best chance of improving survival of patients with this devastating disease,” said Tzaridis.
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Xueqin Sun awarded $600,000 V Foundation grant to study one of the most common and deadly brain cancers
The new award will fund research regarding a hidden weakness in glioblastoma tumors that could lead to a new treatment
Xueqin (Sherine) Sun, PhD, was awarded a three-year, $600,000 V Foundation for Cancer Research grant to study glioblastoma, one of the most common and deadly brain cancers.
Sun will use the award to follow up on her lab’s research regarding a hidden weakness in glioblastoma tumors that could lead to a new treatment. Her team will focus on tumor protein 53, or p53, which normally prevents tumors by detecting DNA damage so it can be repaired, or the cell can self-destruct.
“Think of p53 as the body’s security guard that protects against cancer,” said Sun. In glioblastoma tumors, however, p53 often is unable to do its job.
In nearly three out of every four glioblastoma tumors, another protein called bromodomain-containing protein 8 (BRD8) locks up p53, preventing a key piece of the body’s natural defense mechanisms from fighting back against the growing threat.
“We discovered a way to break apart BRD8, which could free up p53 and let it fight the cancer again,” said Sun.
The Sun lab will test this approach using lab-grown glioblastoma cells and mini-brain tumor models created from patient samples.
“Our goal is to advance this approach that may lead to new therapeutic strategies for patients facing this devastating disease,” said Sun.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The V Foundation has funded nearly $400 million in cancer research grants in North America.
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Science in Pictures
Mammary gland alveoli patrolled by ductal macrophages (yellow) during involution. Mammary duct involution is the process where the breast gland regresses from a milk-producing, lactating state to a non-lactating state.
Image courtesy of Caleb Dawson, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia.
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Q & A with Postdoctoral Researcher Arailym Sarsembayeva, PhD, from Eric Wang’s Lab
Meet one of our early-career scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys: Arailym Sarsembayeva, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Eric Wang, PhD.
What lab are you in, and what research are you working on?
I’m currently working in Eric Wang’s lab, which specializes in chemical biology and the development of targeted protein degradation therapeutics against traditionally “undruggable” transcription factors. My project focuses on Helios, a transcription factor highly expressed in regulatory T cells and exhausted CD8+ T cells. I am investigating the effects of Helios degradation on T cell function and exhaustion phenotypes, with the aim of elucidating the underlying mechanisms that modulate tumor immune evasion. Ultimately, this work will not only clarify the role of Helios in T cells but may also guide the optimal deployment of Helios degraders in clinical settings.
When did you know you wanted to be a scientist?
I grew up around medicine—my mother is a general practitioner—and was always curious about diseases and how the body works. That early exposure sparked my interest in biomedical science, which I pursued with a presidential scholarship at Dublin Technological University. During my studies, I became increasingly fascinated by immunology and the vital role the immune system plays in health and disease. This passion led me to Kazakhstan for a master’s program and then to Austria for my PhD, where I focused on cancer immunology. Specifically, I explored how cannabinoid receptors on immune cells interact with tumors, which opened my eyes to the complex ways our body fights cancer. It’s been an incredible journey, blending my love for medicine and science.
How did you find your way to Sanford Burnham Prebys?
I discovered Eric Wang’s lab through LinkedIn. When I researched Sanford Burnham Prebys and saw the motto, ‘We translate science into health,’ I immediately felt it was the right place for me. The institute is the perfect size—not too big, not too small—and is situated in a highly collaborative environment in San Diego, which aligns perfectly with my goals and working style.
What do you like about working at the Institute?
I love the collaborative and supportive atmosphere. My colleagues and collaborators are amazing, and the Office of Education, Training & International Services (OETIS) provides postdocs with great resources—from leadership seminars and writing workshops to grant training. The scientific environment here is excellent, with top-tier core facilities and seminars featuring scientists from across the U.S., which keeps me inspired and engaged.
What’s been a challenge in your postdoc journey?
Since this is my first postdoctoral position, one of the biggest challenges has been transitioning from being a PhD student to an independent researcher. Initially, I wasn’t sure how to act or how much independence was expected. However, I’m learning as I go, and I’ve had great mentorship from Eric Wang and others. It’s a continuous process of gaining confidence and skills.
Congratulations on your fellowship! Can you tell us more about it?
Thank you! I was recently awarded a three-year postdoctoral fellowship from the American Cancer Society. It’s fully funded, which is a huge relief and allows me to focus deeply on my research. I’m especially excited about the professional development support and opportunities for collaboration that come with the fellowship. It’s a great step forward as I continue to grow as an independent cancer researcher.
For almost 80 years, the American Cancer Society has been at the forefront of funding groundbreaking research that has transformed cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. I am extremely proud to be part of an organization with such a rich legacy, committed to supporting the best science to benefit cancer patients and their families for generations to come.
What are your goals for the next stage of your career?
My goals for the next stage of my career are to deepen my research expertise while expanding my leadership and mentorship experience. I’m considering a transition into industry, particularly roles that allow me to work at the intersection of applied research and innovation. However, I still have a strong interest in leading my own research team in the future. This postdoctoral position offers an ideal opportunity to develop leadership skills through project management and interdisciplinary collaboration, while continuing to publish and refine my scientific contributions.
Have you had a mentor who made a big impact on you?
Yes, especially my master’s advisor, Dr. Eva Reithmacher. She’s a strong woman in science who supported and encouraged me every step of the way. Her mentorship had a big influence on my path.
What do you enjoy outside the lab?
Outside the lab, I really enjoy hiking, baking, horseback riding, and just walking along the beach. Being outdoors is really important to me and living in San Diego makes it easy to get outside and enjoy nature every day!
What advice would you give to aspiring scientists?
Pursue your dreams and don’t give up. Science is full of ups and downs, but if you’re passionate and curious about discovering new things, it’s worth it. Be resilient and keep going.
Postdocs at Sanford Burnham Prebys are pushing the boundaries of science every day through curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. This series highlights their unique journeys, what inspires their work, and the impact they’re making across our labs.
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Celebrating research and mentorship during National Postdoc Appreciation Week
The 24th Annual Biomedical Research Symposium brought together postdocs, graduate students, staff scientists, administrators, and faculty for a day that celebrated both discovery and community.
Speakers underscored what makes the gathering special: a rare chance to take in the breadth and depth of research across programs, to connect with colleagues from labs across the Institute throughout the day, including at the poster session, and to spot techniques that might enrich one’s projects. They also emphasized that relationships forged during training often endure for an entire career.
This year’s keynote was delivered by A.J. Hilton, PhD, assistant professor of molecular physiology and biophysics at Vanderbilt University, who discussed how ATF4 coordinates mitochondrial remodeling and functional adaptations across models of aging.
His talk offered a compelling look at how stress response pathways can rewire cellular metabolism and organelle function, with broad implications for understanding age-related decline and resilience.
Attendees praised the clarity of the presentation and its relevance beyond any one discipline, a reminder that the best science often bridges fields.
A.J. Hilton, PhD. Image credit: Sanford Burnham Prebys
Sanjeev Ranade, PhD, and Jessica Proulx, PhD. Image credit: Sanford Burnham Prebys
A highlight of the day was the announcement of the Mentor of the Year Award for Postdoctoral Training, which recognizes faculty who create welcoming, supportive environments and advocate tirelessly for early-career researchers. Nominees were evaluated on criteria such as clear communication of expectations and goals, active support of career development, and meaningful participation in training initiatives. This year’s recipient, Sanjeev Ranade, PhD, of the Center for Cardiovascular and Muscular Diseases, was celebrated for fostering a collaborative lab culture where achievements of all sizes are recognized and trainees are encouraged to think critically and independently. Mentees credited Ranade with reigniting their passion for science, building confidence, and opening doors to new opportunities—proof that great mentorship can be transformative.
The symposium also acknowledged the vital contributions of the Institute’s training community.
Organizers thanked staff and volunteers who made the event possible and recognized a decade of leadership in career and professional development programs that have helped countless trainees refine transferable skills, land jobs, and navigate diverse paths across the biomedical landscape. Practical touches, including food truck tickets for registrants and clear parking reimbursement instructions, rounded out a day designed to make participation easy and inclusive.
As the Institute observed National Postdoc Appreciation Week, the symposium set an enthusiastic tone for the poster session and the Fishman Awards ceremony. If the energy in the auditorium is any indication, the future of the research enterprise is bright—powered by rigorous science, generous mentorship, and a community committed to helping one another thrive.
BEST PODIUM TALK, Judges’ Selection
- Winner: Luca Caputo, PhD (Puri lab)
- Runner-Up: Sophie Hao (Dong lab)
BEST PODIUM TALK by popular vote
- Winners: Jessica Proulx, PhD (Adams lab) & Katya Marchetti (Ocorr lab)
BEST FLASH TALK by popular vote
- Winner: Michael Alcaraz (Adams lab)
BEST POSTERS, Judges’ Selection
- Winners: Cheng-Ju Kuo, PhD (Kumsta lab) & Caitlin Lange (Kumsta lab)
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How a Holocaust survivor transformed blood sugar testing
Scientists and podcasters discuss how a scientist saved from a World War II concentration camp became a prolific inventor and revolutionized diabetes care
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute scientists Ani Deshpande, PhD, and Pamela Itkin-Ansari, PhD, recently released the fifth episode of their podcast exploring groundbreaking discoveries in science and medicine.
The new episode introduces listeners to 92-year-old Adam Heller, PhD, a Holocaust survivor, scientist and engineer who helped change how patients suffering from diabetes test their blood sugar levels. Diabetic patients have had to draw small samples of blood, often from the tips of their fingers, as often as five times a day to monitor their blood sugar since self-testing technology became available in the late 1970s. In 2000, Heller invented a painless continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that did not require patients to draw and test their own blood to calibrate the device. His inventions became the core technology of the FreeStyle LibreTM, Abbott’s CGM that entered the U.S. health care market in 2018.
The new episode of The Discovery Dialogues Podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
In addition to simplifying self-monitoring for patients and providing more comprehensive data to physicians, studies have shown that diabetic patients with CGMs have lower hemoglobin A1c levels and less frequently have blood sugar concentrations that are too low or too high. Data from industry estimates that 2.4 million patients were using CGMs in 2023. The adoption of CGMs is likely to increase quickly as the market for these devices is expected to nearly triple by 2031, in part due to the Food and Drug Administration approval of the first over-the-counter CGM in 2024.
In March 2025, Deshpande and Itkin-Ansari launched The Discovery Dialogues Podcast. We sat down with them in May to learn about what motivated these scientists and podcasters to create a podcast and focus their first series on diabetes.
Their new episode is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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Science in Pictures
Human embryonic stem cell colony, using confocal and image stitching microscopy.
Image courtesy of Nilay Taneja, Vanderbilt University.
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From lab insight to patient impact: Physician–scientist Theophilos Tzaridis on advancing treatments for pediatric brain tumors
Recipient of the Fishman Awards: Cynthia Schwartz Shenkman Research Excellence Fishman Award Theo Tzaridis discusses his work on pediatric brain tumors, why rigorous preclinical science matters, and how donor support accelerates discoveries.
Established in 2024, the Cynthia Schwartz Shenkman Research Excellence Fishman Award is unique in nature because it recognizes a Sanford Burnham Prebys postdoc for their outstanding biomedical research contributions and demonstrated track record of research excellence.
What’s your current role and focus at Sanford Burnham Prebys?
I’m a physician–scientist studying pediatric brain tumors. I focus on diffuse midline glioma (DMG). I joined Rob Wechsler-Reya’s group at the institute and benefited from him as an amazing mentor and his expertise in mouse modeling of brain tumors tremendously. After Rob moved institutions, I joined Peter Adams’s lab. Peter’s aging and cancer perspective gives my immunotherapy work a fresh lens and he is a truly spectacular mentor. We’ve built a DMG “niche” in the lab and I’ve deepened my in vivo skills, which are essential for translating ideas toward the clinic.
What drew you into oncology and neurology?
Even in high school I was fascinated by how a cell can go “crazy”, grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. Medicine let me pair that curiosity with real patient impact. My MD thesis work in Heidelberg, Germany, suggested an old chemotherapy could reactivate a tumor suppressor which paved the way for a clinical trial. During my neurology residency in Bonn, Germany, I helped plan, analyze, and published results from a clinical trial that became the first positive glioblastoma study in 14 years. Those experiences were very rewarding and cemented my focus on translational research.
You mentioned that your approach to immunotherapy starts with “back to basics.” What does that mean?
Many brain tumor trials borrowed targets from other cancers without confirming those targets exist in the brain tumor microenvironment. We went back to basics, systematically profiled immune checkpoint molecules present in DMG and found CD155 (also called the poliovirus receptor) consistently expressed across models and patient samples. That points to smarter targeting rather than one-size-fits-all strategies.
How has the Institute’s environment shaped your work?
The culture at Sanford Burnham Prebys is genuinely team oriented. Core facilities (flow cytometry, mouse) are exceptional partners in experimental design. We also engage in a cross-institution “Brain Tumor Club” on the Mesa and contribute data to a molecular tumor board that informs real treatment decisions. In one case, marker data I generated supported a physician’s plan to pursue a personalized immune therapy known as CAR T-cells for a child which was an incredibly meaningful moment.
Any notable collaborations beyond campus?
Yes. Our in vivo expertise enabled joint studies with Emory University, including work on small molecules for pediatric brain tumors. We have also collaborated with Columbia University and the Dana Farber Institute. These multi-site projects help validate findings independently which is critical in pediatrics where patient numbers are limited.
How did the Fishman Awards affect your trajectory?
The Fishman Career Development Award I received in 2023, and the Cynthia Schwartz Shenkman Research Excellence Fishman Award I recently received provided fuel at key moments. The Fishman Career Development Award sent me to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference in 2024, where I met a company carrying the only clinical-grade antibody to my target; after an MTA, we’re now testing it here. I also attended the La Jolla Immunology Conference and received a best oral presentation award which is validation that stretching into complex immunology is worth it. Importantly, the Fishman Award application process itself which includes writing, presenting, getting feedback, built resilience and sharpened my vision.
Where do you want to take this next?
I aim to lead an independent lab tightly linked to a clinical trials unit. Success requires basic scientists and clinicians at the same table from day one, plus rigorous preclinical “homework” to identify the subgroups most likely to benefit before launching trials. It’s harder, but in the long run it saves precious time and resources and gives patients better odds.
What is life like outside the lab?
I’m a dad of two, so there is hardly time for anything, but we try to do hikes and some beach time. San Diego’s landscapes are a gift. Before kids I did theater; these days, I read when I can, and we take short family adventures (Anza-Borrego is a favorite).
Is there anything you’d like supporters to know?
Your support is more than funding, it’s belief. At a time when the value of science may be questioned, you’re helping researchers communicate clearly, collaborate widely, and move ideas toward children who can’t wait. The Fishman Awards exemplify that: they strengthen science and the storytelling that brings people along. Thank you.