CancerQuest

What a wonderful evening! I’m so happy with how our “Finding Your Path: Careers in Healthcare & Research” event turned out today.

One of the goals of this event was to give students an opportunity to hear directly from professionals about the many different paths that can lead to meaningful careers in healthcare, research, public health, and related fields. I especially appreciated that our panelists shared not only where they are today, but also their academic and professional journeys, the choices they made along the way, and practical advice for students who are still figuring out their own paths.

A huge thank you to our panelists, for taking time out of their very busy schedules to join us. Your willingness to share your experiences, answer questions, and offer thoughtful pointers to our students made the evening incredibly valuable.

It was also wonderful to see students engaged, asking questions, and learning that career paths are rarely perfectly linear; and that there are so many ways to build a career around your interests in science and health.
I’m excited about what we are building through the collaboration between Cellular Journeys and the UNF Department of Public Health, and I’m already looking forward to the next event in the series next month!

Thank you to everyone who helped make today such a success. 💙

Are you a STEM major here at and aren't sure of after grad plans? Looking for career opportunities beyond the lab bench? Look no further than our Career's in Healthcare and Research workshop, where you can find you path after your time here at UNF.

Speak directly with proffesionals in all indusitires, from pharmacy to communications to holistic health at our workshop tommorow at 5:30 in the Brooks College of Heath building! We can' wait to see you there!

You can also join remotely through Zoom: https://unf.zoom.us/j/8738139729

Could a Personalized mRNA Vaccine Help Keep Melanoma From Coming Back?

Cancer vaccines are moving closer to becoming a reality.

Researchers have reported encouraging Phase III results from a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine designed specifically around mutations found in an individual patient's melanoma. When combined with immunotherapy after surgery, the approach reduced the risk of the cancer returning compared with immunotherapy alone.

Unlike vaccines that prevent infections, this type of vaccine is designed to teach the immune system to recognize unique proteins produced by a patient's existing cancer cells, essentially giving the immune system a personalized "wanted poster" for the tumor.

Why is this exciting? Phase III trials are a critical step in determining whether a new treatment is effective enough to potentially change clinical practice.

⚠️ What does this mean for patients today?
The findings are very promising, but personalized mRNA cancer vaccines are not yet a routine treatment for melanoma. Researchers will continue evaluating their long-term benefits, safety, and how best to incorporate them into cancer care.

🔬 Personalized medicine may increasingly mean not only choosing a drug for your cancer, but creating a treatment specifically for your tumor.

Follow CancerQuest for understandable, evidence-based updates on cancer research, treatment, and prevention.