Congressman Cohen Announces $1.4 Million in National Cancer Institute Grants to UTHSC

Image September 1, 2026 Press Release Biology research and treatment regimens WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced two grants totaling $1,441,914 to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) from the National Cancer Institute. One, for $1,052,689, will support research into the contribution of microbial-derived metabolites to protective immunity in obesity-driven cancer risk under the direction of Dr. Liza Makowski-Hayes. Her group will work to address the questions: how and to what extent are the underlying mechanisms of obesity-mediated increases in chronic inflammation related to an increase in cancer risk? A second grant, for $389,215 will support research into drug discovery for triple-negative breast cancer (absence or substantial lack of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 ), which accounts for 15-20 percent of breast cancers, under the direction of Dr. Michio Kurosu. Congressman Cohen made the following statement: “I am always pleased to see these kinds of investment in the work of our University of Tennessee medical school. Cancer research saves lives. I commend both Drs. Makowski-Hayes and Kurosu for undertaking this work.” # # # Issues : 9th District Education Health Care Memphis Science and Technology Shelby County Tennessee