Fueling the Future of Lung Cancer Research: LCI Awards $200,000 in Grants

At Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI), investing in bold ideas and dedicated researchers is how we move closer to a world where lung cancer is detected earlier, treated more precisely, and ultimately defeated. This year, we are proud to announce $200,000 in research grant funding awarded to three outstanding investigators across North Carolina whose work spans artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and chemotherapy resistance.

These grants—part of LCI’s 2026 Research Program—support innovative projects that have the potential to directly impact lung cancer care, from the lab bench to the patient bedside.

“Investing in the brightest minds in oncology is at the heart of our mission,” said Neal Ready, MD, Chief Scientific Officer of Lung Cancer Initiative. “These researchers are not only advancing our understanding of lung cancer at a molecular level but are also creating the clinical frameworks necessary to ensure patients receive the right treatment at the right time.”

Supporting the Next Generation of Lung Cancer Leaders

Career Development Award – $150,000 (Two-Year Grant)

LCI’s Career Development Award supports emerging physician-scientists committed to building long-term careers in lung cancer research. This year’s recipient is Jeffrey Jensen, MD, PhD, of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Jensen’s project, Attacking Lung Cancer Non-Canonical PRAME Epitopes with Artificial Intelligence Generated Polypeptides, uses artificial intelligence to design novel polypeptides that target specific lung cancer markers. His work represents a powerful intersection of cutting-edge technology and clinical application.

A former LCI Research Fellow, Dr. Jensen continues to build on his early promise.

“Dr. Jensen is a promising, young physician-scientist, and mentoring him is a top priority for me,” said Jared Weiss, MD, Section Chief of Thoracic and Head/Neck Oncology at UNC School of Medicine. “Awards like this will continue arming Dr. Jensen with the resources necessary to publish high-impact papers, compete for other funding, and—most importantly—bring new treatments to lung cancer patients in desperate need of new options.”

Driving Innovation Through Targeted Research

Vicky Amidon Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Awards – $25,000 Each (One-Year Grants)

The Vicky Amidon Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Award recognizes creative, forward-thinking projects that aim to improve the lives of people diagnosed with lung cancer in North Carolina. LCI awards up to two of these grants each year.

Thomas Lycan, DO
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Project: IMPLEMENT-Lung: Mixed Methods Creation of a Patient Registry for Lung Cancer Biomarker Profiling

A former LCI Career Development Award recipient, Dr. Lycan is focused on expanding access to precision medicine through the creation of a comprehensive lung cancer patient registry. This registry will help ensure that patients receive treatments tailored to the unique biology of their cancer.

“Dr. Lycan has established himself as a rising leader in lung cancer research and care delivery,” said Leon Bernal-Mizrachi, MD, Chair of the Department of Cancer Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Dr. Lycan added, “If successful, this approach could be scaled up to improve lung cancer care nationwide. It moves us closer to making precision medicine a reality for every person diagnosed with lung cancer.”

Trudy Oliver, PhD
Duke University School of Medicine / Duke Cancer Institute
Project: Hillock-Like Cells as Drivers of Chemotherapy Resistance in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Dr. Oliver’s research investigates why some lung cancers stop responding to chemotherapy. Her work focuses on “hillock-like” cells and their role in tumor progression and treatment resistance—an area that could unlock new strategies to overcome one of the most challenging barriers in lung cancer care.

“Dr. Oliver is an accomplished and highly respected investigator whose research program has made substantial contributions to the fields of tumor plasticity and preclinical modeling,” said Lee Zou, PhD, Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Duke University. “She is widely recognized for her leadership in dissecting the molecular mechanisms that underlie therapeutic resistance.”

A Longstanding Commitment to Lung Cancer Research

Since 2008, Lung Cancer Initiative has invested more than $4.2 million in lung cancer research. Our programs include research fellowship grants, Career Development Awards, the Vicky Amidon Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Award, and health disparities research funding in partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

In addition to this year’s awards, LCI:

• Funded four $25,000 Lung Cancer Research Fellowship grants for 2025–2026

• Partnered with LUNGevity Foundation on a three-year, $300,000 Career Development Award

Together, these investments reflect LCI’s unwavering commitment to accelerating progress, supporting researchers, and improving outcomes for everyone impacted by lung cancer.

Learn more about LCI’s funding opportunities at the link below.