Lynn Sage Scholars
Turning Bold Ideas Into the Next Breakthrough
Advances in breast cancer begin with bold ideas, but the earliest stages are often the hardest to fund. Lynn Sage invests in early-stage, high-potential research to generate the early results investigators need to secure larger grants and bring new discoveries closer to patients.
Lynn Sage fuels innovation through two types of Lynn Sage Scholar research grants. Early Investigator Awards support early-career researchers launching bold new ideas, while Senior Investigator Awards fund experienced researchers exploring breakthrough approaches that could transform the field.
Every grant we award provides vital seed funding, empowering researchers to gather critical data and unlock larger support from major funders like the National Institutes of Health.
Research types
Early Investigator Awards
Dr. Lamiaa El-Shennawy
Research Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Uptake of Tumor Extracellular Vesicles for Immune Regulation in TNBC
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), accounting for up to 20% of all breast tumors, is highly metastatic and more aggressive than other breast cancer subtypes, leading to lower survival rates than other breast cancer types due to limited treatment options. Like other tumors, TNBC secretes tumor extracellular vesicles (TEVs), which promote tumor progression and metastasis, but can also be used as a diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This study seeks to use TEVs to enhance the patient’s immune system against the tumor in a specific and personalized manner to support the treatment of TNBC.
About Dr. El-Shennawy:
Lamiaa El-Shennawy, PhD, studies the role of cancer-derived extracellular vesicles in triple negative breast cancer. Dr. El-Shennawy’s work has been published in high impact journals, such as Cancer Discovery, Nature Communications, and Cancer Research. Her contributions and potentials have been recognized by several outstanding awards, such as Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA), Susan G. Komen Scholar‐In‐Training Award, and the prestigious International Fulbright Science and Technology Award. Dr. El-Shennawy joined Northwestern University in 2019 as a postdoctoral fellow then she was appointed the position of a Research Assistant Professor in 2023.
Dr. Frederick Howard
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of Chicago
Predicting Breast Cancer Recurrence in the Chicagoland Area Using Artificial Intelligence
Although there is often a wealth of information available at the time of breast cancer diagnosis, such as digital images of tumor biopsy specimens and radiographic imaging such as breast MRI, data from imaging is under-utilized in decision making for breast cancer. This project will utilize artificial intelligence (AI) approaches on cases from three (3) Chicagoland Hospitals to improve
prediction of recurrence risk using all the information available at the time of diagnosis, allowing for improved personalization of treatment decisions.
About Dr. Howard:
Medical oncologist Frederick Howard, MD, is an expert in treating breast cancer. In 2024, Dr. Howard was named to the prestigious list of 40 Under 40 in Cancer, an award that recognizes him as one of the nation’s most promising young oncology professionals and celebrates his contributions to improve the lives of those affected by cancer.
Jeffrey Schneider, PhD
Assistant Professor
Rush University Medical Center
Breaking Barriers in Breast Cancer Therapy Through Individualized Immune Profiling
Not all breast cancers respond to the same therapies, and patients vary in their immune response potential. This study aims to tailor immunotherapy to each patient’s individualized “immuno-fingerprint,” with the goal of maximizing treatment efficacy and improving outcomes for all breast cancer patients. This work explores biochemical modifications to the tumor microenvironment and innovative immunotherapeutics to enhance anti-cancer immunity. The ultimate goal is to advance personalized treatment strategies that reduce patient suffering and move closer to eradicating breast cancer.
About Dr. Schneider:
Dr. Schneider is a breast cancer researcher at Rush University Medical Center whose work focuses on enhancing immunotherapy efficacy through detailed study of the tumor microenvironment and immune system interactions. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background in infectious disease, antibody manipulation, and advanced imaging, he has developed in vivo imaging protocols to track breast cancer immunotherapeutics and modified agents such as IL15Ra-Fc to improve immune responses. His research also explores altering the tumor microenvironment to increase therapeutic effectiveness, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Schneider is dedicated to developing innovative, patient-tailored approaches to improve treatment outcomes.
Senior Investigator Awards
Dezheng Huo, PhD
University of Chicago
Using Artificial Intelligence to Integrate Imaging and Genetic Markers for Personalized Breast Cancer Risk Prediction
Breast cancer screening saves lives, but current guidelines treat all women as having the same risk, overlooking individual differences in genetics and biology. This study aims to develop precise risk prediction models by integrating genetic risk scores with artificial intelligence analysis of mammographic images. By combining these cutting-edge tools, the project seeks to guide personalized screening decisions—such as when to start and how often to screen—ultimately improving early detection and outcomes for women at highest risk. This multimodal approach represents a step toward more accurate, individualized breast cancer prevention strategies.
About Dr. Huo:
Dr. Huo is a cancer epidemiologist whose research focuses on the genetic, molecular, and environmental factors influencing breast cancer etiology, prognosis, and treatment, with particular attention to underserved populations. He leads efforts to understand the genetic architecture of breast cancer in women of African ancestry, discovering candidate genes linked to common variants and developing models to assess risk and predict chemotherapy response. Dr. Huo is committed to translating these discoveries into precision cancer prevention and treatment strategies that improve outcomes for diverse patient populations.
Dr. Seema Khan
Professor, Surgery (Breast Surgery)
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Optimizing Family Planning for Young Women at High risk of Breast Cancer
Tamoxifen (TAM) is a commonly used medication to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, but further research is needed to understand interactions between hormonal contraceptives (e.g., “the pill”) and TAM on the safety and efficacy of both medications. Since family planning is of major importance for premenopausal women, this gap in knowledge will be addressed through study in breast tissue and lab rats. Through these studies, we hope to understand if hormonal contraception is harmful to women in need of TAM, as well as different responses to two different contraceptives, which is expected to lead to clinical trials on this important issue.
About Dr. Khan:
Dr. Seema Ahsan Khan, MD, is a surgical oncologist specializing in breast cancer treatment and prevention. A Professor of Surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, she leads clinical and research efforts at the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center, focusing on high-risk patients and innovative surgical approaches. As principal investigator of the Northwestern Cancer Prevention Consortium, Dr. Khan advances early-phase trials in cancer prevention. Her research explores novel prevention therapies, transdermal drug delivery, and minimally invasive techniques for biomarker analysis.
Kay F. Macleod, PhD
University of Chicago
NIXing Breast Cancer
Breast cancer metastasis is the leading cause of breast cancer mortality, and emerging evidence points to mitochondrial dysfunction—driven by the protein NIX—as a key contributor. This study investigates how elevated NIX promotes the earliest steps of metastasis, with the dual goal of establishing NIX as a biomarker for identifying high-risk, early-stage disease and validating it as a therapeutic target to prevent cancer spread. By defining the role of NIX in metastatic progression, Dr. Macleod’s work offers a unique and innovative path toward earlier detection and new strategies to stop metastasis before it begins.
About Dr. Macleod:
Dr. Macleod is a leading breast cancer researcher at the University of Chicago, whose research focuses on how mitophagy and mitochondrial stress responses drive tumor migration, invasion, and metastasis. Her team has revealed key roles for autophagy, BNIP3, and most recently NIX (BNIP3L) in shaping metastatic progression, with current efforts aimed at targeting NIX to prevent cancer spread. She also serves as Associate Director of Basic Science at the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, directs the NCI-funded Multi-disciplinary Training Program in Cancer Research, and is a past president of the Cancer Biology Training Consortium (CABTRAC).
Amanda L. Marzo, PhD
Rush University Medical Center
Reversing Resistance to Anti-Pd1 Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer that often fails to respond to conventional therapies, including promising immunotherapies like anti-PD1 treatment. This study aims to understand why TNBC tumors develop resistance to these therapies and to use new combination therapies that enhance the immune system’s ability to eliminate both primary and metastatic tumors. By identifying cellular and molecular signatures of therapeutic response and resistance, this research seeks to predict patient responses and develop new pre-clinical regimens that could be translated into clinical trials, offering a path toward more effective treatments for this difficult-to-treat cancer.
About Dr. Marzo:
Dr. Marzo is a breast cancer researcher at Rush University Medical Center whose work focuses on overcoming resistance to immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer. Her research investigates how to manipulate the immune system to effectively eradicate tumors that do not respond to current treatments and to identify cellular and molecular signatures that predict therapeutic response. Driven by lifelong curiosity and a personal passion for science, she develops innovative strategies to enhance anti-tumor immunity. Beyond her laboratory work, Dr. Marzo is committed to translating her findings into clinical approaches that could improve outcomes for patients with hard-to-treat breast cancers.
Bin Zhang, MD, PhD
Professor, Medicine (Hematology and Oncology), Microbiology-Immunology, Pathology
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Targeting Tumor-Promoting Neutrophils in TNBC
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive and hard-to-treat form of breast cancer often resistant to current therapies. This study focuses on a novel strategy to “disarm” neutrophils—immune cells that can support tumor growth—by reducing their tumor-promoting activity. By reprogramming neutrophils to be less supportive of tumors, this approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of existing immunotherapies and improve outcomes for patients with TNBC. Targeting neutrophils in this way provides a unique and complementary method to overcome immune evasion and offers new potential avenues for treating aggressive breast cancers.
About Dr. Zhang:
Dr. Zhang is the Johanna Dobe Professor of Cancer Immunology at Northwestern University, specializing in cancer immunotherapy with a dual background in immunology and molecular oncology. His research focuses on understanding how the immune system can be harnessed to develop more effective and personalized treatments for breast cancer, particularly triple-negative breast cancer. By studying neutrophils and their role in tumor promotion, Dr. Zhang seeks to uncover novel therapeutic strategies that enhance current immunotherapies. His work bridges laboratory discovery and clinical application, aiming to improve survival and quality of life for patients facing limited treatment options.
Dr. Jun Huang
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jun Huang
Associate Professor of Molecular Engineering
UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Developing a combinatorial mRNA immunotherapy for breast cancer
Dr. Jaehyuk Choi
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jaehyuk Choi
Jack W. Graffin Professor
Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Development of T-cell Therapies for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
A Novel Deubiquitinase in Breast Cancer Tumorigenesis and Therapeutic Targeting
Principal Investigator: Deyu Fang, PhD
Hosmer Allen Johnson Professor of Pathology Professor, Pathology (Experimental Pathology), Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
A Pilot Test of the Breast Cancer Pre-habilitation and Prospective Surveillance to Prevent, Detect, and Optimize Physical and Functional Recovery (B-PREPeD)
Principal Investigator: Ann Marie Flores, PT, PhD
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
Developing a combinatorial mRNA immunotherapy for breast cancer
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jun Huang
Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering at UChicago
Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Automated Methods for Continuously Measuring Cancer Detection Rates for Breast Cancer Supplemental Screening Modalities and Risk-Based Populations
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lisa Stempel
Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rush University
Educational Initiatives
Travel Grant
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Leadership: William Gradishar, MD, FACP
For more information: Sister Cities Symposium
Symposium
Lynn Sage Symposium: For Scholars
Leadership: William Gradishar, MD, FACP Contact Erin Donoghue at 312.695.1391 or erin.donoghue@northwestern.edu
Handbook
Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook
Leadership: Nora Hansen, MD Contact: Burt Korman at 312.472.4779 or bkorman@nm.org