Breast Cancer Research Grants (Faculty Grant)

Breast Cancer Research Grants (Faculty Grant) is sponsored by Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. The Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant is a one-year award for faculty applicants.

Research | Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester Breast Cancer Research Initiative Breast Cancer Research Initiative Thank you for your interest in the Coalition’s Breast Cancer Research Grant Initiative . Researchers affiliated with institutions in New York State are welcome to apply.

The grants are awarded with the potential to yield significant medical breakthroughs in the cause and prevention of breast cancer, prevention of metastasis, and cure. Research proposals are solicited from regional medical and research institutions and through the Coalition’s website. Since 2003, the Coalition has awarded $1,226,125 to researchers in Upstate and Western New York.

The Breast Cancer Coalition annually offers two Breast Cancer Research Grants: The Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant: $50,000 The Pamela Delp Polashenski M. D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant: $25,000 The grants are awarded with the potential to yield significant medical breakthroughs in the cause and prevention of breast cancer, prevention of metastasis, and cure.

Research proposals are solicited from regional medical and research institutions and through the Coalition’s website. Since 2003, the Coalition has awarded $1,226,125 to researchers in Upstate and Western New York. 2025/2026 Research Initiative Timeline: Monday, November 3, 2025 – Request for Proposals open Monday, March 2, 2026 – Proposal submission deadline Questions?

Please contact Research Administrator, Silvia Gambacorta-Hoffman (585) 473-8177. The Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research FACULTY GRANT proposal The Pamela Delp Polashenski M. D.

Breast Cancer Research TRAINEE GRANT Click Here for Previous Coalition Grant Recipients The Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant The Breast Cancer Coalition’s Research Faculty Grant is named in memory of Sylvia Cappellino, founder of the Breast Cancer Coalition.

Annually, The Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant is offered as a one-year $50,000 grant for faculty applicants and is open to researchers from for-profit or not-for-profit institutions located in New York State. These grants are awarded with the potential to yield significant medical breakthroughs in the cause and prevention of breast cancer, prevention of metastatic progression, and cure.

Sylvia Cappellino died on August 8, 2024. Sylvia was an unwavering advocate for research and survivorship programs. She was the definition of a survivor-advocate and was also a cherished friend to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

From coordinating the very first meeting around her kitchen table in 1997, to supporting an organization and witnessing its growth to serve those in Western and Central New York, Sylvia Cappellino was a true changemaker. Sylvia’s legacy will continue on in the Coalition’s four pillars of service: Support, Education, Advocacy, and Research. The Pamela Delp Polashenski M.

D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant The Breast Cancer Coalition’s Research Trainee Grant is named in memory of Pamela Delp Polashenski, M. D.

Annually, The Pamela Delp Polashenski M. D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant is offered to pre- and post-doctoral trainees/fellows in the amount of $25,000 and is open to researchers from for-profit or not-for-profit institutions in New York State.

These grants are awarded with the potential to yield significant medical breakthroughs in the cause and prevention of breast cancer, prevention of metastatic progression, and cure. Dr. Polashenski was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 47 and quickly became involved with the Breast Cancer Coalition.

A beloved wife, mother, and physician, she served on our Board of Directors and Research Advisory Board and was committed to all efforts of our Advocacy Committee. Upon learning that her breast cancer had metastasized, Pam joined Common Ground, our group for those living with metastatic breast and/or gynecologic cancer. Pam leaves a lasting legacy in every aspect of our mission.

The Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant Grant Recipient: Ajay Dhakal, MD, Medical Oncologist at the Wilmot Cancer Institute Proposal: “Factors Associated with CNS Recurrence of Primary Triple Negative Breast Cancer. ” Dr. Dhakal is looking at the primary tumor characteristics in early diagnosed triple negative breast cancer patients to study which patients are at high risk of developing brain recurrence.

The aim of the research is to develop an accurate model to predict brain metastasis. Those patients at high risk can be treated with drugs with central nervous system (CNS) activity and can be screened more frequently. Dr. Dhakal is a Medical Oncologist at the Wilmot Cancer Institute through the University of Rochester Medical Center.

His research and clinical trials focus on breast cancer patients with brain metastasis. He studied medicine in Kathmandu, Nepal. Dr. Dhakal completed his residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, and performed his fellowship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York.

The Pamela Delp Polashenski M. D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant Grant Recipient: Fatemeh Alimohammadi, PhD Candidate, University of Rochester Proposal: “Understanding Glutathione-Related Dipeptide Metabolism in Triple Negative Breast Cancer” Fatemeh’s research challenges the conventional notion that antioxidants protect cells and help fight diseases like cancer.

Glutathione is an antioxidant, and when it breaks down, it can fuel tumor growth in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The aim of the study is to identify the mechanisms involved in the breakdown of glutathione and potentially develop more effective therapeutic targets for triple negative breast cancer. Fatemeh Alimohammadi grew up in Babol, a small city in the north of Iran.

Her love for science was deeply ingrained by her mother, a science teacher, at an early age. She did her undergraduate studies in Biology and graduate studies in Genetics in Iran. She finally travelled “across the world” to the University of Rochester Medical School where she continues her studies in Biomedical Genetics in Dr. Isaac Harris’ laboratory.

Fatemeh Aliohammadi, PhD Candidate The Pamela Delp Polashenski M. D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant Grant Recipient: Zachary Robert Smith, PhD Candidate, University of Rochester Proposal: “Epigenetics Regulation of Hormone Therapy Resistance in Breast Cancer by the KDM5 Demethylases” Smith’s research investigates the role that KDM5s play in hormone therapy resistance in ER+ breast cancer.

KDM5s are a family of enzymes that, among other functions, help to regulate gene expression. Smith hypothesizes that KDM5 activity promotes estrogen driven growth and hormone therapy resistance in breast cancer. He has designed several experiments with the aim of improving the understanding of drug resistance.

His interest is in cancer biology and epigenetics, having been fascinated by genetics and cell biology since his first biology courses back in high school. Smith holds degrees in Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry from the University of Rochester. He is enrolled in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program at the University of Rochester.

Zachary Robert Smith, PhD Candidate