Cameron biology student wins awards at national cancer research Internship

Cameron University biology student Solomon Meraz distinguished himself at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center's Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) program in Buffalo, N.Y. Following an immersive 10-week curriculum that included a mentored-research experience, Meraz, a senior from Oklahoma City, earned Best Lay Talk and First Place in Poster Presentation at the program's concluding symposium.

The highly competitive SURE-CAN program selects students nationwide to conduct hands-on cancer research alongside leading oncology specialists. Participants receive advanced training, attend professional development seminars, and present their findings in multiple formats.

Meraz credits Cameron University and the mentorship of Dr. Dana Lee, associate professor in the Department of Agriculture, Biology and Health Sciences, for preparing him to excel.

"Dr. Lee's mentorship gave me a unique skillset and a strong work ethic," Meraz says. "I felt more than prepared to tackle this opportunity thanks to Cameron University, especially one in my field of interest, cancer research."

Meraz's award-winning lay talk, "Engineering Persistent T-Cells for Effective Tumor Control," used vivid analogies to explain how engineered T-cells can better fight cancer. His poster, "Modulating TCF-1 in BiTE-Secreting T cells to Improve Therapeutic Durability Through Stemness," highlighted research to improve the durability of BiTE-secreting T-cell therapies for ovarian cancer.

With mentorship from Dr. AJ Robert McGray, assistant professor of oncology and immunotherapy, and Nizam Shaikh, a PhD candidate training in the McGray lab, Meraz helped demonstrate that enhancing a key T-cell factor can strengthen promising adoptive BiTE T-cell therapies as a cancer treatment.

"This program genuinely changed my life," Meraz says. "The hands-on research, experiences and presentations gave me invaluable insight into a career in oncology and deepened my passion for medicine and research. My achievements would not have been possible without guidance from the McGray lab, the incredible opportunity provided by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the continued support of Cameron University."

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