A New Home for Research

Since it was first established in 2011, the Anderson University Center for Cancer Research has employed advanced equipment and skilled researchers to study cancer treatments and causes—all with a focus on community outreach and education.

Dr. Diana Ivankovic, herself a cancer survivor, directs the Anderson University Center for Cancer Research. Joining Dr. Ivankovic is Assistant Director Dr. Andy Norris, a biochemist, and other Anderson University faculty in the fields of chemistry and biology.

“Our research is trying to shed additional light on the anti-carcinogenic mechanisms behind selected nutraceuticals (marjoram, thyme and persimmon—and their phytochemical constituents) on the intended cells,” Dr. Ivankovic said. “This research aims to first screen for safety, toxicity and adverse effects to narrow therapeutic ranges in cell lines before any animal and human application. Next, it aims to serve as proof of a replicable, experimentally sound model of human breast cancer in which tumorigenesis and cancer progression (angiogenesis and metastasis) respond to chemotherapy and allow for comparison to alternative therapeutics.”

Dr. Ivankovic is excited about a new focus of research: colorectal cancer.

As colorectal cancer impacts both men and women and at younger ages, Dr. Ivankovic feels this is a needed area of research.

“We have been working with six different human colorectal cell lines and one healthy colon cell line as a control. We are looking at long-term exposure to a variety of statins, how that affects cellular viability and whether it leads to chemoresistance,” Dr. Ivankovic said. “Colorectal cancer has a lot to do with alcohol consumption, diet, exercise and genetics. Sometimes you just cannot escape your genetic makeup whatever the genes that you had passed on. And now they recommend a colonoscopy starting at age 45. It used to be 50. That’s why I’m passionate about colorectal cancer.”

According to Dr. Ivankovic, during the fall semester, the Center will also be studying gastro-esophageal cancer.

Ivankovic is grateful to AnMed EVP and COO Scott Weiskittel and AnMed Director of Engineering John Callaham for their valuable assistance in making possible a move from a location across from the AnMed Emergency Department to a new facility at 400 North Fant Street, located close to AnMed and within a mile of the Anderson University campus.

“AnMed wanted to meet with us and show us what they had to offer,” Dr. Ivankovic said. “The first thing they showed us was ‘A++,’ so we immediately said, ‘yes, we love it.’”

The new location features a large entryway with comfortable sitting areas and branching into two parallel hallways. One of the hallways opens into two prep rooms and two tissue culture rooms. The other hallway opens up to four offices and a conference room. There is a huge connecting student room in the middle.

The Center selects eight to 10 students as Cancer Scholars. The students work alongside faculty each semester. Of those, the two highest academic achievers are selected as Cancer Fellows.

Dr. Ivankovic is also proud of the diversity of students doing research at the Center.

Paris Freeman and Isabella Renteria Gomez received a second-place award and presented research on colon cancer cell lines.

Freeman appreciates the opportunities given her through the Center.

“I am African American; I had an all-female cohort who worked with me for the last semester,” said Freeman, a rising senior from Atlanta. “Just seeing people from all different types of backgrounds has been really great, and Dr. Ivankovic is great at helping us to look for different opportunities for all students.”

Working with Freeman was Gomez, who recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in biomedical sciences. She felt honored to be selected to do research at the Center.

“I started my first semester senior year. We had to do a research project in order to graduate, so I was really interested in doing cancer research, especially since

I’ve had family members who have passed due to cancer. But I was able to sign up for it and then write a little bit of why I wanted to do cancer research, and then they picked me,” Gomez said. Last year, she graduated with a degree in biology with a minor in biomedical sciences and plans to enter dental school.

Lauren Baskin, a rising senior and a Cancer Fellow, spent last summer in Charleston at the Medical University of South Carolina thanks to an opportunity through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), which offers 10 weeks of research work alongside top cancer researchers.

A class in cancer biology piqued Baskin’s interest in a career in cancer research and led her to the Center.

“I’m thinking after graduation I would like to pursue a Ph.D. in probably cancer biology or molecular biology and then I hope to go work in the pharmaceutical industry and develop cancer treatments, potentially working in clinical trials,” Baskin said.

Brooklyn Pace, a biology major and also a Cancer Fellow, never considered cancer research until she took an oncology class. Pace is grateful for several opportunities to grow professionally, thanks to the AU Center for Cancer Research.

“This past year I was able to present at MUSC in Charleston, which was amazing,” Pace said. “We also went back to the USC Upstate symposium this past year as well to present some new research, so I’ve had my fair share of presentations. I’m growing in my professional skills and communication skills and becoming more comfortable in that area.”