MANSFIELD, Pa. – Mansfield University cell and molecular biology
students Lauren Griffith and Shaelyn Marx have been selected to serve as the 2021
Junior ResearcHERS: Women Fighting Cancer Ambassadors for the American Cancer
Society of the Greater Philadelphia area.
ResearcHERS Ambassadors help raise funds to support women-led
cancer research nationwide.
A
junior, Griffith is a member of the Mountaineer women’s basketball team and a Pennsylvania
State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athlete, Vice President of the MU
Future Healthcare Professionals Club, and aspiring physician scientist.
“I
represent women in college looking to make a difference in the fight against
cancer and working to support women in STEM” said Griffith, a native of Upper Marlboro,
Md. “I have attended many events and conversations through the American Cancer
Society and met with women in science who are using their voices to advocate
for advancements in research.
“I
decided to join this movement because I’ve witnessed how cancer has negatively
impacted my family and how it drastically impacts the lives of people around
the globe. I want to help further cancer research to hopefully make
advancements in the near future.”
Griffith
attended the American Cancer Society’s Northeast PA Board of Advisors summer
meeting, where former classmate and MU 2021 Outstanding Senior, Caitlin Beauduy,
presented her novel research on the impact of T cells on pancreatic cancer
development.
“From
these conversations, what moved me the most were the stories shared by the
women and their own personal experiences with cancer or someone around them who
has had it, and how it has pushed them to advocate/ fundraise for cancer
research” Griffith explained. “It also inspired me to see how confident and
determined the women were to make change: sharing their background of what
motivates them to achieve equity.”
Marx
a senior from Stroudsburg, Pa. is President of Mansfield’s Phi Sigma Pi
National Honor Fraternity and Future Healthcare Professionals Club, Vice President
of Student Government Association (SGA), a biology/physics supplemental instruction
leader and tutor, and aspiring physician scientist.
“I
work to fundraise for women-led cancer research projects. I also advocate for
and encourage women to pursue their passions for cancer research and to take on
more leadership roles in the field” said Marx. “ResearcHERS also benefits me,
personally, by encouraging and supporting me as I work with my female research
advisor, Dr. Long, on my individual cancer research project.”
Last
month, Marx participated in a live telethon supporting the American Cancer
Society. She explains, “Through my work with ResearcHERS I had the opportunity
to attend their telethon in Jim Thorpe, Pa. and during the live event, I spoke
about the purpose of the ResearcHERS program, why cancer research is important,
and how ResearcHERS has influenced me.”
Dr.
Kristen Long, associate professor of biology and American Cancer Society
Advisory Board member served as a ResearcHERS Ambassador last year during the inaugural year of the program. For Long, it’s all
about getting students involved in the cause.
“Younger students respond more strongly to seeing their older
peers in leadership and advocacy roles” said Long. “It’s really important to
get Lauren and Shae’s message out there, especially to younger students in our
rural area.”
Marx
adds, “I wanted to get involved in the ResearcHERS program to inspire other
young girls to pursue their passions.” Griffith concludes, “As a woman in
science, I know we are underrepresented in our field, so I am willing to do
everything that I possibly can to change that at a young age. I want to
encourage young women around the country that it is never too soon to be the
change.”
Griffith and Marx will attend a kickoff event for the ACS ResearcHERS Junior Ambassador Campaign on Saturday, September 11. Anyone interested in learning more about the initiative, becoming a ResearcHERS Junior Ambassador, or how to help lead the fight for a world without cancer, please register for the event. Guests will also have the opportunity to hear from Cherie Erkmen, MD, professor of thoracic surgery in the Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery at Lewis Katz School of Medicine and director of lung cancer screening at Temple University Hospital. For more information or to register, reserve your spot.
For
more information about the biology program at Mansfield University or to learn
more about the active cancer research projects and other projects happening in
Dr. Long’s laboratory, visit mansfield.edu/biology.
