I grew up in northern Kentucky, a small town called Fort Thomas. When I began looking for colleges, I knew I wanted to go to a small liberal arts institution, mostly because the idea of a big state school was terrifying. And I knew the reputation of schools like Transy. Though I had my pick of a few schools, I ultimately chose Transy for several reasons. The biology program was highly esteemed; the campus was gorgeous and felt like home; and I knew I could see myself roaming it for four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What kind of cancer research are you doing? <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n I am working in the field of immunotherapy for treatment of lung cancer. Basically, we are trying to find ways to kick-start a patient\u2019s own immune system to do the heavy lifting and combat the cancer for us. This field has revolutionized cancer therapy in many tumor types, and has even led to some cures of late-stage diseases which previously had little hope. However, like many cancer treatments, there are issues with resistance \u2013 the tumor smartly finds different ways to shut the immune response down. So I am working on finding new treatment strategies to combine with immunotherapy and overcome resistance, in hopes of helping even more patients achieve durable responses to immunotherapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What inspires you to devote your life to this work?<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite decades of research efforts, improvement in technologies to allow for precision medicine, and millions of dollars flooding the field, little improvement has been seen in the cancer death rates, especially for lung cancer. However, that is now changing \u2013 patients now have new hope and that hope lies in immunotherapy. I am inspired to be able to work in this field that is changing people\u2019s lives by giving them their lives back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026patients now have new hope and that hope lies in immunotherapy. I am inspired to be able to work in this field that is changing people\u2019s lives by giving them their lives back.<\/p>Jessica Marie Konen<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n How did Transy prepare you for success in graduate school at Emory University? (Konen earned a Ph.D. in cancer biology.)<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the reasons I went to Transy was because of the reputation of the biology and chemistry departments. I knew I wanted to do something in science, but wasn\u2019t sure what my options were besides medical school. The biology professors were integral in mentoring me along my career path toward graduate school. They helped me find summer research opportunities, experiences which ultimately were the reason I was accepted into graduate school. Without the encouragement and guidance of my biology professors, I am unsure that I would\u2019ve known the right path toward success in research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.transy.edu\/1780\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/239354_Konen_J_01-200x300.jpg\")