UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute

09/05/2025

Dr. Justin Turner, community health officer for UMMC’s Cancer Center and Research Institute and assistant professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine, has a winning game plan in fight against prostate cancer – screening. The five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is as high as 100% if caught early. UMMC urology care and CCRI are teaming up to provide comprehensive, compassionate care for prostate health.
To learn more about cancer services at UMMC or to make an appointment, visit umc.edu/cancer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRg5iVodors

News.

09/04/2025

A leading Mississippi education philanthropy, the Phil Hardin Foundation, is investing $2.5 million in our new CCRI facility—continuing more than three decades of support for UMMC. The gift strengthens cancer care, prevention and education statewide and advances our pursuit of National Cancer Institute designation: https://umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2025/09/Hardin-Foundation.html

The Phil Hardin Foundation has pledged $2.5 million over 10 years to support the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute expansion. The new 250,000-square-foot facility will advance cancer treatment, research and education in Mississippi. Leaders call the project a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to transform cancer care. Read the full story to learn more about this transformative gift: https://umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2025/09/Hardin-Foundation.html

08/28/2025

Dr. Seema Singh’s lab has published groundbreaking research in npj Breast Cancer revealing key differences in immune cell patterns across breast cancer subtypes and racial groups. The study, led by Dr. Amod Sharma, highlights how these immune differences may contribute to health disparities and treatment outcomes. Congratulations to the team on this important work!

08/26/2025

Dr. Jasmine Miller-Kleinhenz has been named our 2025 Researcher of the Year for her groundbreaking work in cancer health disparities! As an assistant professor in the John D. Bower School of Population Health, her research bridges molecular biology and social determinants of health to uncover why breast cancer outcomes differ by race. She recently received the AACR Minority Faculty Scholar Award and a nearly $1 million NIH K99/R00 grant. Her work is reshaping how we understand and address inequities in cancer care.

08/23/2025

We're proud to share that Dr. Shashi Anand and Dr. Ajay Singh have had their new research published in Cancer Letters! Their study explores how pancreatic cancer cells survive in low-oxygen conditions—a challenge that often makes this disease hard to treat. The team discovered that two proteins, MYB and HIF1α, work together to help cancer cells adapt and become more aggressive. This research could help scientists develop better treatments in the future by targeting that interaction.

08/22/2025

🎉 Employee of the Month: Lauren Macoy, BSN, RN 🎉
Please join us in celebrating Lauren, a dedicated nurse with our GYN Oncology team, as this month’s Employee of the Month!
Lauren’s commitment to patient care, proactive mindset, and willingness to learn have made her an invaluable part of the team since joining in January 2023. She consistently goes above and beyond — whether it’s problem-solving for patients, lending a hand to a coworker or building meaningful relationships with those in her care. Thank you, Lauren, for your outstanding service and the heart you bring to your work every day!

08/20/2025

We’re proud to share that Dr. Nicole Anderson has been awarded a St. Baldrick’s Scholar Grant to support her innovative research on high-risk neuroblastoma. Her work at Children’s of Mississippi uses a unique model to study how cancer cells lie dormant and later spread — critical knowledge in the search for better treatments. This multi-year grant helps pave the way toward safer, more effective treatments.

08/08/2025

Check it out! Manju George, PhD, is shining a spotlight on patient voices in cancer — on a billboard in Times Square! Yesterday’s display was a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to and learning from those living with cancer.

08/05/2025

The UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute recently hosted the second Natural Products and Cancer Research Symposium in collaboration with the University of Mississippi’s NCNPR. The event highlighted the growing role of natural products in advancing cancer research and treatment. Attendees heard from leading scientists and toured CCRI’s research facilities. Events like this strengthen collaboration in the fight against cancer.

07/31/2025

Members of the Cancer Center and Research Institute made a strong impression at the 2025 meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the first and largest cancer research organization in the world. Each year, the meeting brings together more than 20,000 of the world’s leading cancer researchers as well as cancer survivors, advocates and health care providers. Our CCRI members showcased their latest research findings and marked a major milestone by hosting a booth at the AACR Career Fair for the first time!

07/29/2025

The Cancer Center and Research Institute recently hosted a community health education fair in Lexington, Mississippi, where Dr. Justin Turner, assistant professor in Preventive Medicine and CCRI community health officer, spoke about cancer health in our state. Participants visited vendors and learned about resources to assist with their needs.

We thank all of our community partners as we create a healthier Mississippi!

07/22/2025

Physicians, researchers, and clinical staff from the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute made a big impact at the recent Gulf Coast Hematology & Oncology Summit, hosted by the Alabama Cancer Congress and Mississippi Oncology Society.

🔹Dr. Clark Henegan shared key insights in his expert talk: “2025 Genitourinary Oncology Updates: Urothelial and Renal Cell Carcinoma.”

🔹Dr. William “Neil” Duggar explored the cutting edge of cancer care with “Modern and Emerging Radiation Therapy Practice.”

🔹Dr. Hillary Daugherty took home 1st place in the poster presentation competition for her study on advanced prostate cancer treatment.

We’re proud of our team for leading the way in cancer research and care across the Gulf Coast!