Juan Santamaria, MD, assistant professor of surgery in the UNMC Division of Surgical Oncology, has been awarded a grant from the National Cancer Institute Early-Stage Surgeon Scientist Program.
The ESSP is designed to train surgeon scientists and retain them in cancer research by supporting a program focused on cancer-related disease and basic/translational research. This program aims to bring together surgeon scientists from across the United States and build cohorts that will be trained together for up to three years per cohort, staggered a year apart.
Dr. Santamaria’s project focuses on identifying actionable mechanisms by which breast cancer metastasizes and survives in the brain tumor immune microenvironment, while improving outcomes for these patients.
“Triple-negative and HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer develops brain metastasis in 30% to 50% of patients, and unfortunately, this is incurable, despite the treatments currently available,” Dr. Santamaria said.
Dr. Santamaria’s grant is funded through an administrative supplement to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center’s NCI-designated Cancer Center Support Grant, which was successfully renewed in 2021 and awards $12 million in funding over the next five years.
“This is a significant professional achievement for Dr. Santamaria,” said Kenneth Cowan, MD, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “His background in both surgery and laboratory research in the area of immunotherapy provide an excellent foundation for his work in this extremely important project that will delve into the complexity of brain metastasis in breast cancer.”
Said Joshua Mammen, MD, PhD, professor and chief of the UNMC Division of Surgical Oncology, “Dr. Santamaria’s approach is enthusiastic, highly organized and collaborative, bringing together faculty from several different departments on campus to work on this project. I commend him on his initiative and passion for improving cancer care. I also want to particularly thank Drs. Surinder Batra (PhD) and Wasim Naser (PhD) for their mentorship and support.”
Dr. Santamaria was born in Detroit and raised in Panama. He spent three years completing basic science cancer research at Massachusetts General Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. After completing a surgical oncology fellowship in fall 2020, he joined the UNMC Division of Surgical Oncology as an assistant professor of surgery.
Congratulations, Dr. Santamaría!! You are a great asset to our institution and our communities. Bravo!!
Congratulations! Honor to have you as a colleague and proud of your success! So very important to patients.
Congratulations Dr. Santamaria! I wish you continued success.
Congratulations Dr. Santamaria!
Congratulations, Dr. Santamaria! Excited to see data as this project develops.
Congratulations, Dr. Santamaria!
Congratulations, Dr. Santamaria on a significant achievement!! So excited to see what your research discovers!!
Big congrats Dr. Santamaria!
Congratulations Juan! This is a great achievement.
Fantastic achievement, Juan.
I continue to cheer on your behalf.
Congratulations. This is such an important topic. Very happy for you!
Heartiest Congratulations Dr. Juan.
Great job, Dr. Santamaria!!
Wonderful job! Congratulations!
Congratulations Dr. Santamaria!
Congratulations Dr. Santamaria!
Well done, my friend. I cannot think of anyone more deserving.
Congratulations Dr. Santamaria!
Congratulations!
What important work! Big Congratulations, Dr. Santamaria! Eager to follow your findings.
Congratulations Dr. Santamaria, it is an honor to be working with you in the Breast Cancer Navigation Program.
Congratulations Dr. Santamaria!!