Maldonado research stirs up impact excitement, special project award

Recently, Eduardo Maldonado's collaboration with Shikhar Mehrotrau ignited enthusiasm from MUSC's Blue Sky Award Advisory Review Panel, leading to a Special Pilot Award (SPA) grant.

Citing its potential major impact on clinical practice and patient outcomes, the panel thought the research was "meritorious and exciting" and commented on the novel aspect of developing new strategies in cancer research.

The proposal "VDAC as a Single Target to Control Mitochondrial Metabolism and Enhance Cytotoxicity in T cell" was awarded a $50,000 grant that runs from May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024.

"If your study aims are achieved, it could open the door for a new target for drug development with the potential to improve T cell cytotoxicity and survival," Lori McMahon, MUSC vice president for research, wrote in the award letter.

Dr. Maldonado is associate professor of drug discovery and biomedical sciences in the College of Pharmacy, and Dr. Mehrotra is professor of surgery and microbiology & immunology in the College of Medicine.