LCI Research Program Update

Neal Ready, MD, PhD Named Lung Cancer Initiative Chief Scientific Officer

Lung Cancer Initiative has named Neal Ready, MD, PhD as the organization’s first Chief Scientific Officer.
Dr. Ready will be responsible for advising LCI on scientific research activities and ensuring the
organization’s research programming continues to have a maximum impact in the field of lung cancer.

“Dr. Ready has been an avid leader at LCI from our very early days, and his knowledge and passion have
significantly impacted our research and provider education programs,” said Amy Cipau, president and
founder of LCI. “We are now excited that he is stepping into this important new role as we seek to
strengthen the impact that LCI’s research programming has for the researchers and institutions that we
support and ultimately for all of those who have and will be facing a lung cancer diagnosis.”

Dr. Ready is a medical oncologist and researcher at Duke Cancer Institute who specializes in treating
patients with lung cancer and head and neck cancer. Dr. Ready first realized he wanted to become a
doctor in graduate school, because it gave him the opportunity to practically apply scientific evidence to
help others. Dr. Ready now works with Duke’s research and clinical staff to come up with new and
hopeful therapies for patients. He is currently on the Board of Directors for Lung Cancer Initiative and
also serves as the Chair for the Scientific Advisory Committee. Dr. Ready will begin providing part-time
support in his new role immediately.

“Continuing the momentum of advancements in lung cancer research is critically important,” said Dr.
Ready. “I look forward to working with my colleagues from many of our partnering research institutions
and with the LCI team to support early career researchers and projects that ultimately may provide
promising breakthroughs in lung cancer care and treatment.”

Lung Cancer Initiative Awards $200,000 in Research Funding

RALEIGH, NC – 2/3/2025 – Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI) is excited to announce the recipients of $200,000
in research funding to three distinguished researchers leading studies in lung cancer in North Carolina.
Grants include LCI’s annual $150,000 Career Development Award and two $25,000 Innovation in Lung
Cancer Research Awards.

“We are pleased to be able to support these researchers and their important work in the field of lung
cancer,” said Neal Ready, MD, Chair of LCI’s Scientific Advisory Committee. “We value the opportunity
to further these studies at leading institutions and to enable researchers to grow and pursue even
greater breakthroughs that will impact the care of people with lung cancer in the future.”

Career Development Award

Through the $150,000, two-year Career Development Grant, LCI supports emerging research leaders
who plan to continue their career in the field of lung cancer. The researcher’s project must be focused
on basic scientific research to impact lung cancer care, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and
survivorship.

This year’s Career Development Award recipient is Eziafa Oduah, MD, PhD, MPH Duke University School
of Medicine for her project titled: Investigating the Impact of Intratumoral PCSK9 on Antigen
Presentation in NSCLC.

Dr. Eziafa Oduah – Duke University School of Medicine

Project Title:  Investigating the Impact of Intratumoral PCSK9 on Antigen Presentation in NSCLC.

Dr. Oduah’s study examines the role of the PCSK9 protein in immune checkpoint resistance. Her research will assess whether blocking PCSK9 can enhance the immune system’s ability to fight lung cancer by improving dendritic cell function, a key element in T-cell activation. Findings from her work could help develop more effective immunotherapy combinations for lung cancer patients.

“I am very grateful for the support of Lung Cancer Initiative on this award that will help us advance our knowledge of the factors that impact immunotherapy resistance and how to improve immunotherapy responses for our patients,” said Dr. Oduah.

Vicky Amidon Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Award

Through the $25,000, one-year Vicky Amidon Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Grant, LCI aims to recognize and provide research funding for innovative lung cancer projects that will improve the lives of those diagnosed with lung cancer in North Carolina. LCI awards up to two Innovation grants annually.   This year’s Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Award recipients are Robert Meyerhoff, MD, Duke University School of Medicine and Yuming Jiang, MD, Wake Forest University Health Sciences.

Dr. Robert Meyerhoff – Duke University School of Medicine

Project Title: Transcriptome Profiling of Functional Anti-Tumor B Cells in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer for Identification of Therapeutic Antibody Candidates

Dr. Meyerhoff’s research focuses on leveraging the body’s immune system to develop novel lung cancer treatments. His study aims to identify tumor-targeting antibodies that could be engineered into new therapeutic interventions, such as antibody-drug conjugates and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies. His work could lead to significant advancements in personalized immunotherapy for lung cancer patients.

“The studies outlined in this grant will not only provide critical knowledge for understanding the role of affinity maturation in generating anti-tumor antibodies, but also serve as a foundation for new antibody-based cancer therapies,” said Dr. Meyerhoff. “This research is an essential step toward my goal of becoming an Interventional Radiologist-Scientist.”

Dr. Yuming Jiang – Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Project Title: Foundation Model-Informed Deep Learning for Predicting Recurrence in Early-Stage Lung Cancer from Histopathology Images

Dr. Jiang’s research integrates artificial intelligence (AI) into lung cancer prognosis by developing a deep learning model capable of predicting cancer recurrence with greater accuracy. His AI model, trained on over 130 million histopathology images, aims to provide clinicians with a more reliable tool for assessing post-surgical recurrence risk, ultimately enabling more tailored treatment strategies for lung cancer patients.

“This AI-driven approach offers an innovative and effective method for risk stratification in early-stage lung cancer patients,” Dr. Jiang explained. “By integrating digital pathology with AI, we hope to advance personalized treatment planning and improve patient outcomes.”

Lung Cancer Initiative’s Research Program

Since 2008, LCI has funded more than $3.4 million in lung cancer research through programs like the research fellowship grant, health disparities in lung cancer grant in partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research, Career Development Award, and the Vicky Amidon Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Award.  Last year, LCI also awarded four $25,000 Lung Cancer Research Fellowship grants for 2024-25 and co-funded a small cell lung cancer study in partnership with Lung Cancer Research Foundation.  Over the past three years, LCI has also partnered with LUNGevity Foundation on a three-year $300,000 Career Development Award.

About Lung Cancer Initiative

As a leading non-profit organization supporting lung cancer research and education, Lung Cancer Initiative specializes in connecting patients, survivors, and loved ones with the medical and research community. Through funding opportunities such as the Vicky Amidon Innovation Grant in Lung Cancer Research and the Career Development Grant, LCI fosters cutting-edge studies aimed at reducing lung cancer mortality and improving care for patients.

For more information about LCI’s research grants, visit www.LungCancerInitiative.org