Carleigh Eagle's path to Mayo Clinic began not in an engineering lab or medical school classroom, but as an intern in the Clinical Research Internship Study Program (CRISP). Immersed in the intersection of science and medicine, Eagle discovered a new way to impact patient care without becoming a physician.

At the time, Eagle was a physics major hoping to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. A conversation with a Mayo faculty member led her to apply for CRISP, where she worked on a project focused on hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, a heart condition where the muscle becomes abnormally thick, narrowing the outflow path and making it harder for blood to leave the heart. Using 3D modeling to guide septal wall resections, Eagle worked with radiologists and heart surgeons to help plan and improve surgery on the heart’s septal wall. That experience helped open her eyes to the power of engineering in medicine and sparked a passion that has defined her career.

"CRISP showed me that I could be at the forefront of medicine without going to medical school," Eagle says. "It was a turning point."

Leading the way in 3D anatomical modeling

Today, Eagle is the lead engineer in the Anatomic Modeling Unit (AMU) at Mayo Clinic in Florida, where she helps transform surgical planning and patient care through advanced 3D technology, including additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. The AMU supports more than 25 clinical specialties, creating anatomical models and surgical guides that enhance surgeons' precision and improve patient understanding. 

"When a doctor holds a patient's 3D-printed heart in their hands, it helps them truly understand their patient's care," Eagle says. This understanding in turn helps patients make better medical decisions and proceed with confidence in their treatment plans.

Since joining Mayo in 2021, Eagle has helped position her AMU as the largest additive manufacturing hub at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Her team estimates that they perform one of the highest number of virtually planned scapula (shoulder blade) reconstruction procedures worldwide and have introduced innovative techniques such as "green stick" scapula bending simulations, which allow surgeons to virtually model bone adjustments before entering the operating room.

Her contributions extend beyond surgical planning. Eagle has co-developed lifelike simulators for pelvic anatomy and neurosurgical procedures, giving clinicians hands-on practice for complex cases. A graduate of the University of North Florida (UNF), Eagle also co-developed UNF's Anatomy and 3D course and is now pursuing her master's degree there in materials science and engineering. She was recently honored with UNF's Young Alumni Achievement Award. 

She also co-founded Mayo's Physics, Chemistry and Engineering Internship, mentoring more than 30 students and inspiring new cohorts of innovators. 

"Seeing Mayo through the eyes of interns reminds us why we fell in love with what we do," says Eagle. "Even those who move on carry Mayo values like compassion and patient-centered care into their future roles."

Why CRISP matters

For Eagle, CRISP was more than an internship — it was a bridge between academic learning and clinical application. From her days in the program to her role today as an engineering leader, Eagle exemplifies how experiential learning at Mayo Clinic can continue to spark breakthroughs that improve patient care.

“Carleigh is a shining example of what’s possible when students get early exposure through programs like CRISP and others offers through ONCEP (Office of Non-Clinical Education Programs),” says Michael Boniface, M.D., program director of CRISP in Florida. “She’s not only done an amazing job in her own role, but she’s also helped build a one-of-a-kind internship experience in Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering. That’s the kind of impact these programs can have.”

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These discoveries reflect progress across three major innovation efforts at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic clinicians and scientists are working together to develop tools to predict and intercept biological processes before they evolve into disease or progress into complex, hard-to-treat conditions through the Precure initiative. They are advancing new cures for end-organ failure beyond traditional transplantation as part of the Genesis initiative. They are also uniting clinical insight with cutting-edge engineering to deliver novel neurological diagnostics and therapies through the Bioelectronics Neuromodulation Innovation to Cure (BIONIC) initiative. 
 

1. 'Virtual clinical trials' may predict success of heart failure drugs 

Mayo Clinic researchers have created "virtual clinical trials" that advance the discovery of therapies while reducing time, cost and the risk of failed studies by combining advanced computer modeling with real-world patient data as part of the Precure and Genesis initiatives. Through one virtual clinical trial, they have developed a new way to predict whether existing drugs could be repurposed to treat heart failure, one of the world's most pressing health challenges. 

"Clinical trials will always remain essential," says Cui Tao, Ph.D., the Nancy Peretsman and Robert Scully Chair of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics and vice president of Mayo Clinic Platform Informatics. "But this innovation demonstrates how AI can make research more efficient, affordable and broadly accessible. Integrating trial emulation, simulation, synthetic trials and biomedical knowledge modeling opens the door to a new paradigm in translational science." 

2. New discovery may unlock regenerative therapies for lung disease

Mayo Clinic researchers have uncovered the molecular "switch" that directs a small but powerful set of cells that choose whether to repair tissue or fight infection, a discovery that could inform regenerative therapies for chronic lung diseases, which is part of Mayo Clinic's Genesis initiative.
 
"We were surprised to find that these specialized cells cannot do both jobs at once," says Douglas Brownfield, Ph.D., senior author of the study. "Some commit to rebuilding, while others focus on defense. That division of labor is essential — and by uncovering the switch that controls it, we can start thinking about how to restore balance when it breaks down in disease." 

3. Stem cells may offer new hope for end-stage kidney disease treatment

Mayo Clinic researchers found that injecting patients' own stem cells from fat cells into the vein before hemodialysis, a treatment for end-stage kidney disease, often helped prevent inflammation and vein narrowing. This could help millions of people tolerate dialysis longer, extending the time before they require a kidney transplant as part of the Mayo Clinic Genesis initiative. 

"This approach has the potential to improve outcomes for millions of patients with kidney failure, reduce healthcare costs and inform new clinical guidelines for dialysis access management if validated in larger clinical trials," says Sanjay Misra, M.D., a Mayo Clinic interventional radiologist. 

4. Mayo Clinic physicians map patients' brain waves to personalize epilepsy treatment

Using detailed maps of each patient's unique brain wave patterns, Mayo Clinic physicians can now pinpoint where stimulation is most effective, moving beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to epilepsy treatment. This research is part of the BIONIC initiative.

"The long-term goal is to quiet the seizure network, so it is eventually forgotten. Reorganizing the neuronal network could move us beyond controlling seizures to actually curing epilepsy," says Nick Gregg, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neurologist. 

5. New genetic biomarker flags aggressive brain tumors

Mayo Clinic researchers found when meningiomas — the most common type of brain tumor — show activity in a gene called telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), it tends to recur more quickly, even if it looks low grade under the microscope. This is part of the Mayo Clinic Precure initiative. 

"High TERT expression is strongly linked to faster disease progression," says Gelareh Zadeh, M.D., Ph.D., a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic and senior author of the study. "This makes it a promising new biomarker for identifying patients who may be at greater risk of developing aggressive disease."

6. Mayo Clinic researchers discover the immune system's 'fountain of youth'

Mayo Clinic researchers have found that some older people maintain "immune youth" – a new term coined by Mayo researchers to explain a young immune system in someone over age 60.  
 
"We observed that these patients have very young immune systems despite being in their 60s and 70s. But the price they pay for that is autoimmunity," says Cornelia Weyand, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic rheumatologist and clinician-scientist. This is part of the Mayo Clinic Precure initiative.

7. Mayo Clinic tools predict, identify and diagnose Alzheimer's, dementia quicker

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed new tools to estimate a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease years before symptoms appear as part of the Precure initiative and to help clinicians identify brain activity patterns linked to nine types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, using one scan. They also confirmed the accuracy of an FDA-approved blood test that can be used at outpatient memory clinics to diagnose the disease in patients with a range of cognitive impairment. 

"Every patient who walks into my clinic carries a unique story shaped by the brain's complexity," says David T. Jones, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neurologist. "That complexity drew me to neurology and continues to drive my commitment to clearer answers."

8. Mayo Clinic research improves dense breast cancer screening and early detection

Nearly half of all women in the U.S. have dense breast tissue, which can make detecting breast cancer difficult with a mammogram. Mayo Clinic researchers found that adding another test, called molecular breast imaging, or MBI, to a 3D mammogram, improved the ability to find cancer in dense tissue by more than double. 
 
"Our research focuses on detecting the most lethal cancers, which can include invasive tumors that grow quickly. If these are detected earlier, we likely can save more lives," says Carrie Hruska, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic professor of medical physics and lead author of the study. 

9. Mayo Clinic researchers find 'sugar coating' cells can protect those typically destroyed in type 1 diabetes

After identifying a sugar molecule that cancer cells use on their surfaces to hide from the immune system, Mayo Clinic researchers have found the same molecule may eventually help in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes. 

"A goal would be to provide transplantable cells without the need for immunosuppression," says Virginia Shapiro, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic immunology researcher. "Though we're still in the early stages, this study may be one step toward improving care."

10. New study calculates autoimmune disease prevalence

Mayo Clinic researchers and collaborators have described — for the first time — the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the U.S. Their research reports that about 15 million people are estimated to have one or more of 105 autoimmune diseases. The study also found that autoimmune diseases occur most often in women, and it identified the top autoimmune diseases by prevalence, sex and age. 
 
"Knowing the number of patients with an autoimmune disease in the U.S. is critical to assess whether these diseases are increasing or decreasing over time and with treatment," says DeLisa Fairweather, Ph.D., vice-chair of translational research for the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Florida and corresponding author of the study.

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About Mayo Clinic 
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news. 

Media contact: 

• Julie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post A Year of Discovery: 10 Mayo Clinic research breakthroughs moving medicine forward  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mayo Clinic has announced the appointment of Nneka I. Comfere, M.D., as the Juanita Kious Waugh Executive Dean of Education and dean of the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. She succeeds Fredric Meyer, M.D., the Alfred Uihlein Family Professor of Neurologic Surgery, who served with distinguished leadership in the position for nearly 10 years. 

Dr. Comfere, a member of Mayo Clinic's Board of Governors and Board of Trustees and a Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine alumna, is a physician with joint appointments in Dermatology and Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. She is a Kern Scholar alumna of the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery research program. Dr. Comfere is division chair of Dermatopathology and Cutaneous Immunopathology in the Department of Dermatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and her clinical focus is the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

"Mayo Clinic’s Education shield stands at a pivotal moment as we prepare the next generation of professionals for a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape,” says Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., Mayo Clinic president and CEO. "We look forward to Dr. Comfere’s leadership through this critical period and are deeply grateful for Dr. Meyer’s decade of impactful service, which has laid a strong foundation for the Education shield’s continued advancement."

As medical director of the Digital Health, Artificial Intelligence and Innovations (DHAI) program in Mayo Clinic's Department of Dermatology, Dr. Comfere is leading efforts to advance the application of AI within her field. She previously served on the board of directors of the American Society of Dermatopathology and is an editorial board member of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

"I'm honored to be entrusted with advancing the recruitment, training and retention of our future healthcare workforce," Dr. Comfere says. "I look forward to partnering with colleagues in the Mayo Clinic Practice and Research shields to prepare our learners to discover and deliver cures through interdisciplinary training, digital fluency and the highest standards of professionalism." Dr. Comfere will partner with John Poe, chair of Education Administration. She will begin her new role in early January.

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — For some patients with the most common type of lung cancer, known as lung adenocarcinoma, there's new hope. In a new study published in Cell Reports, Mayo Clinic researchers have found several previously unknown genetic and cellular processes that occur in lung adenocarcinoma tumors that respond well to immunotherapy.

A recently approved group of drugs — immune checkpoint inhibitors — can boost the body's ability to eliminate a tumor and even keep the cancer from coming back. However, while the medications work well for some people, the drugs aren't effective for many other patients with the disease — and researchers are trying to determine why. 

"Our study describes the events that occur when a patient's tumor harbors only one copy of a cancer-causing gene, which occurs in 20% of cases," says Alan P. Fields, Ph.D., a cancer biologist at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center and the principal investigator of the study. 

The research team found that the missing tumor-driving gene, known as PRKCI, results in tumors that are less aggressive. The missing gene also cultivates a more powerful immune response to tumors. Surprisingly, the research team found the improved immune response occurs with help from unexpected players: senescent tumor cells, also known as "zombie cells," which are typically associated with negative consequences of disease and aging. 

The study identified markers that may predict a positive response to immunotherapy and "ultimately may help clinicians stratify patients who are candidates for immune checkpoint inhibitors," says Joey Nguyen, a graduate student at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and lead author of the publication. 

Addressing the nation's leading cause of cancer death

Lung adenocarcinoma represents 40% of lung cancers in the U.S. and is the leading cause of cancer death. It's strongly associated with smoking, but it's also the most common type of lung cancer to occur in people who have never smoked, likely because of a combination of genetics and other environmental factors.  

Dr. Fields' lab at Mayo Clinic in Florida has long studied the effect of the PRKCI gene, which drives tumor growth. The gene also suppresses the immune system, keeping cancer-killing immune cells at bay. Because lung tumors depend on the gene to proliferate, Dr. Fields' team was surprised to find that in cases where a copy of the gene is missing, lung adenocarcinoma tumors still occur. Nguyen, who was studying PRKCI in the lab, was inspired to try to learn more about those unusual tumors.  

Early experiments found that the tumors without PRKCI grow less aggressively. The team also found that when PRKCI is missing, lung adenocarcinoma cells behave in an unusual way in their very early development, acquiring characteristics of lung cells that regenerate lung tissue after damage. 

The team collaborated with the lab of systems biology researcher Hu Li, Ph.D., to examine the process at a single cell level. "We found that the loss of PRKCI forces tumor cells to hijack a lung regeneration process to generate a tumor," Nguyen says. 

Tracking the effects of a missing gene

Nguyen also noticed that the tumors without PRKCI showed elevated levels of organized clusters of immune cells, called tertiary lymphoid structures. The presence of those clumped cells can be a sign that immune checkpoint therapy might work for a patient. But were they a result of the single copy of the PRKCI gene? 

Nguyen presented his research at a graduate school seminar where the project caught the attention of postdoctoral fellow Luis Prieto, Ph.D., who had an idea. Dr. Prieto wondered whether the clusters of immune cells might be connected in some way to senescent cells, those that enter a state of arrested development and don't die off. Dr. Prieto works in the lab of researcher Darren Baker, Ph.D., who investigates therapies to eliminate senescent cells in various disease processes.

The collaborating labs were amazed to find that senescent tumor cells actually activate the immune system, leading to the clusters of immune cells that combat the tumor. "The idea that senescent cells may be beneficial in certain settings like this is new to the field, as these 'zombies' are commonly associated with detrimental outcomes," says Dr. Baker, who is a co-corresponding author on the study.

The findings reveal three tumor characteristics that may be used to help clinicians identify candidates for immune checkpoint inhibitors: loss of the PRKCI gene, the presence of senescent tumor cells and an abundance of clustered immune cells. 

Further, says Dr. Fields, his team previously identified an approved drug that can inhibit PRKCI signaling, making a tumor that has the PRKCI gene act more like a tumor without it. 

"Now that we understand how PRKCI is working in a lung tumor, it may be possible to couple a PRKCI inhibitor with immunotherapy, so a future clinical trial that combines these approaches will certainly be an important avenue to explore," he says.

See the study for a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Julie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

The post Mayo Clinic researchers identify why some lung tumors respond well to immunotherapy appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

In Lusaka, Zambia, where clinical improvisation is often essential, Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist Kashmira Chawla, M.D., led a group of senior residents from Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME) on a collaborative expedition to improve airway management and perioperative care. 

Supported by a scholarship from the Mayo Clinic Global Health Program, Dr. Chawla and her trainees spent a month working with Zambian clinicians so they could both teach and perform a life-saving procedure called awake fiberoptic intubation. This procedure helps doctors safely place a breathing tube in patients with difficult airways. But in Zambia, the team had only one donated scope and limited medications. To make the procedure work, they had to get creative. 

Instead of using standard equipment like nebulizers to numb the throat, they used a syringe and a small catheter to deliver lidocaine, a numbing agent, to the area. Only one concentration of lidocaine was available, so they adjusted their technique to make it effective. Once the breathing tube was in place, they used ketamine to induce anesthesia.

Collaboration and cultural exchange

Without electronic medical records or a formal scheduling system, the team used WhatsApp to coordinate with surgeons and identify patients who needed special airway care. They often met patients for the first time in the preoperative holding area on the day of surgery, relying on paper charts and patient interviews to prepare. And because of limited staffing, residents proactively tracked and gathered supplies to prevent delays from happening during surgical procedures.

"We weren't just applying what we knew," Dr. Chawla says. "We were learning from our Zambian colleagues, who navigate these challenges every day with incredible skill and creativity."

One moment stood out during a busy surgical day. A patient arrived with a large mass obstructing the nose and throat, and the team had limited monitoring tools. A Zambian resident explained a plan using calm coaching and culturally sensitive care, recalls Dr. Chawla, and the Mayo team asked questions to better understand the local approach. This led to a successful procedure and a meaningful exchange of ideas, with both teams sharing strategies and learning from each other.

Building partnerships with lasting global impact

The rotation was designed to be a two-way exchange: Mayo residents taught bedside techniques and led simulation training sessions using high-fidelity mannequin simulators. Zambian clinicians shared their expertise in adapting care to local conditions. The team also used a problem-solving model called SEIPS (Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety) to study how the hospital's systems worked and find ways to improve them.

The project was supported by the Office of Health Equity and Inclusion (OHEI), which helps ensure that Mayo's global health efforts are respectful, inclusive and sustainable. "OHEI's support is vital to sustaining and expanding this work," Dr. Chawla says.

The team's work was recently published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, first-authored by former MCSGME resident Jennifer Eller, M.D., giving international visibility to the collaboration. 

"It's a moment of reflection," Dr. Chawla says. "It reminds us that meaningful research can come from shared learning, humility and a commitment to improving care in different settings."

Plans are underway to continue the program and possibly expand it to other hospitals in low-resource areas. The team hopes to build on what they learned in Zambia and create training models that are tailored to each location's needs.

For Dr. Chawla, the experience was more than a professional milestone. It was a chance to live out the Mayo Model of Care in a new environment. 

"Global health is not just about outreach," she says. "It's about building something together that lasts."

The Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME) is one of the oldest and largest graduate medical education schools in the U.S. With more than 2,000 trainees, MCSGME is transforming the future of healthcare by preparing physicians and specialists to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care and lead in clinical innovation, education and research. The school offers 380 residency and fellowship programs across Mayo Clinic’s Minnesota, Florida and Arizona campuses and the Mayo Clinic Health System.

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Tailor Hofman, originally from St. Peter, Minnesota, was in middle school when her great-grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy.

"My great-grandma and I shared a close bond," Hofman says. "Her experience had a significant emotional impact on our family, particularly because we're a family of many women." 

Years later, Hofman was inspired to train for a career where she could help other women through breast cancer screening. She applied to the radiography program at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences to become a radiologic technologist — also known as a radiographer — working with doctors in assessing and evaluating patients, often using breast imaging. 

Across the schools of Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, programs are training future leaders in approaches that address the breast cancer journey, from the first moment of screening to the years after a diagnosis. Often inspired by the cancer diagnoses of family and friends, students are learning cutting-edge approaches and bringing Mayo Clinic's primary value — the needs of the patient come first — to breast cancer care.  

Making a difference in testing and treatment 

Today, Hofman's work as a Mayo Clinic radiographer allows her to build relationships with patients starting from their first screenings. 

"The team in breast imaging has unique insight into the care they provide," says Jessica Lodermeier, director of the radiography program in Rochester, Minnesota, which graduates up to 34 students a year. "They understand the emotional stress and anxiety that can accompany this very important yearly exam for women." 

Radiographers perform medical exams using X-rays and other technology to create images that are interpreted by doctors for diagnosis and treatment of disease. Mayo's program allows them to add specialized training in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), mammography and other areas. 

The School of Health Sciences has radiography programs on Mayo campuses in Rochester and Florida and offers a radiography internship program in Arizona. Instructors are experienced radiologic technologists, working side by side with students to share their expertise. 

"Our faculty is devoted to each student learner, and building on their interests in specific areas, such as various breast imaging technologies," says Lodermeier, who is also an alumna of the program. "For many students who choose radiography, it's to make a difference — caring for patients by assisting in testing and treatment of breast cancer and other serious diseases." 

Combining advanced techniques and compassionate care

Programs at Mayo Clinic also are training clinicians in specialized care for patients with breast cancer. One such program is a fellowship that focuses on breast imaging, offered through Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. A fellowship program exists on each of Mayo's campuses, admitting a total of about six trainees a year. 

Fellows learn numerous advanced imaging technologies, including modalities not offered at many institutions, such as contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) and molecular breast imaging (MBI). These approaches can improve cancer detection.

In Florida, the Breast Imaging Fellowship program — which accepts one fellow a year — involves rigorous training rotations that take place in the state-of-the-art facilities of the Duan Family Building. The training  emphasizes compassion, says program director Kristin Robinson, M.D. Among recent trainees in Florida was Michael Villalba, D.O., who completed the program and was hired to join Mayo staff as a physician in diagnostic radiology specializing in breast imaging. 

The compassionate care Dr. Villalba provided during a biopsy made an impression on patient Shelley Norwood. "His passion shines through in how he engages with patients," Norwood says. "You can see it in his face and hear it in his voice. He exemplifies the Mayo mission and values." 

This approach is embedded in the fellowship training, says Dr. Robinson. "We're not just reading images,” she says. "We're caring for people." 

Improving outcomes for patients

Mayo is also training students who have an eye on patients' futures. Anna Detry is a fourth year Ph.D. student at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Training under the mentorship of cancer researcher John Hawse IV, Ph.D., she aims to improve outcomes for patients who have recurrent breast tumors that have become resistant to treatment.

Detry took interest in studying breast cancer after family friends faced cancer diagnoses. Her studies focus on a form of breast cancer classified as estrogen receptor positive (ER+), which is usually treated effectively by drugs that block estrogen pathways. However, when tumors do recur, they may no longer respond to the same treatments. 

So far, her research has identified a previously unstudied protein, highly prevalent in metastatic ER+ tumors, that appears to help recurrent tumors thrive. "We're looking specifically at that protein to figure out how it's driving drug resistance and how we can target it," says Detry. The research team is now testing approaches to disable or eliminate the protein and restore the tumor's sensitivity to treatment.

Interacting with clinician collaborators at Mayo Clinic has helped shape Detry's thinking as a researcher-in-training who's zeroed in on what's next for patients. "When I was applying to graduate school, what drew me to Mayo was the patient-centric focus of everything, even very basic science studies," she says. "Being in a hospital setting and working with clinicians here constantly keeps the patient centered in all our work and in the forefront of our minds."

The post Shaping the future of breast cancer care–one trainee at a time appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Lainey Bukowiec, M.D., an orthopedic surgery resident at Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, is helping shape the future of surgical care through groundbreaking research and mentorship. Her mentor is Peter Rhee, D.O., a global leader in hyperselective neurectomy, a highly targeted nerve surgery that reduces muscle spasticity while preserving strength. Under his guidance, Dr. Bukowiec has contributed to two major studies exploring this advanced technique.

The first study she co-authored, published in the Journal of Hand Surgery, examined the radial nerve's motor branching pattern in the triceps. The second focuses on pediatric patients with equinovarus deformity, a condition often caused by cerebral palsy in which the patient's foot twists downward and inward, making it difficult to walk normally. These studies reflect Dr. Bukowiec's dual passion for pediatric orthopedics and hand surgery, the specialties she plans to pursue through consecutive fellowships.

Recently, Dr. Bukowiec assisted Dr. Rhee in performing the very procedure she had researched. "It was incredible to see the full arc from academic study to clinical application," she says. "That kind of experience is rare and deeply rewarding."

Dr. Rhee's mentorship has been pivotal, she says. "He explains complex surgical concepts in a way that resonates. He's not only a brilliant surgeon but also a compassionate teacher."

Mentorship reaching beyond Mayo Clinic

Dr. Rhee's development of hyperselective neurectomy took on new meaning when he used the technique to help his own father regain mobility after a stroke. The success of that procedure inspired him to expand its use and train others in its application. Through mentorship and collaborative research, he equips residents like Dr. Bukowiec with the skills to bring this innovative approach to more patients and advance its impact through education. 

"Being a surgeon, researcher and teacher at Mayo Clinic is very fulfilling," says Dr. Rhee. "The ability to train the world's best and brightest to eventually deliver Mayo Clinic quality of care around the world is an incredible obligation and legacy."

His impact reaches far beyond Mayo Clinic. Through an international visiting surgeon program, Dr. Rhee and his colleagues train surgeons from around the world in advanced hand surgery procedures. These surgeons return home equipped to treat patients and teach others. 

He also co-founded a global working group of surgical experts to advance nerve surgery techniques through international collaboration. Last year, the group partnered with Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development to host the first U.S.-based international symposium on hand surgery in Rochester.

Dr. Bukowiec's experience under Dr. Rhee's tutelage demonstrates Mayo Clinic's commitment to training the next generation of surgical innovators. Through mentorship, research and hands-on experience, residents like her are preparing to deliver cutting-edge, compassionate care to patients worldwide.

Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education has more than 2,000 learners enrolled in programs across the country. Of those more than 300 programs, 197 are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and 95 percent of Mayo's GME training programs are above the national average in board passage rates. 

Related post: 

• (VIDEO) A family’s journey inspires breakthrough surgery

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First-year students at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Arizona and Rochester participated in stethoscope ceremonies this fall. 

The stethoscope ceremony marks more than the beginning of medical training; it recognizes each student's commitment to the heart of medicine. The simple device of the stethoscope, unchanged for more than a century, has been used across generations to listen to patients and understand their stories. It is both a tool of the profession and a symbol of a physician's responsibility.

Many medical schools in the U.S. celebrate a "White Coat Ceremony," where students put on white laboratory coats for the first time. Mayo Clinic holds a Stethoscope Ceremony instead since Mayo physicians do not wear white coats. The custom stems from the Mayo brothers' belief that white coats create barriers between medical professionals and patients. Instead, Mayo physicians dress in business attire to help them form better connections with their patients and create mutual respect.

During the ceremony, as each student receives a stethoscope, they also accept the responsibility and the privilege of caring for others. 

Medical school leaders shared their thoughts on what the stethoscope means to them:

Compassion is the pulse that sustains the medical profession and is a primary Mayo Clinic value. Jewel M. Kling, M.D., M.P.H., Suzanne Hanson Poole Dean, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine – Arizona Campus shared, "To me, my stethoscope isn't just for hearing the heart or lungs. It's a symbol of how I show up with the intention to listen fully to my patient. It serves as a bridge. To help me hear what they're saying — and what they're not." Healing begins when physicians attend to their patients' stories with empathy and humility. 

Service is a cornerstone of medicine, which is an act of service to humanity. Jesse Bracamonte, D.O., George M. and Kristen L. Lund Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the medical school's Arizona Campus, told students at the ceremony that the stethoscope embodies the core values of Mayo Clinic. "I've learned to understand the true meaning of the stethoscope along my journey from several profound moments of service. Remember that the stethoscope isn't just a tool; it's a symbol of your commitment to care for others, to listen closely and to be present in the most profound moments of human life." Whether in a high-tech operating room or a rural clinic, our efforts extend beyond the individual, rippling into families, communities and generations. 

Lifelong learning is the thread that connects compassion and service. Fredric Meyer, M.D., dean of Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Waugh Executive Dean of Education, said, "Our responsibility is to prepare you with a keen sense of curiosity, adaptability and a desire for lifelong learning. These qualities will empower you to address the evolving needs of healthcare, to lead with innovation and to find solutions to the most complex problems our patients and health systems face." Lifelong learning means more than keeping up with textbooks or journal articles. It means remaining open to lessons taught by patients, colleagues and experience itself. The best physicians are perpetual students, guided by both science and humanity.

The Stethoscope Ceremony is sponsored by the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association, which helps students forge valuable relationships and mentorships with Mayo alumni. More than 34,000 alumni are located in 50 U.S. states and 83 countries worldwide. Every medical student is now a full member of the Alumni Association.  

About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is a national medical school with four-year medical degree programs in Rochester and Arizona. The school also offers a Florida program, enabling students to complete their first two years of medical studies in Arizona or Minnesota, and their final two years of learning in Florida. For more information, visit Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — When it comes to treating disease, one promising avenue is addressing the presence of senescent cells. These cells — also known as "zombie cells" — stop dividing but don't die off as cells typically do. They turn up in numerous diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease, and in the process of aging. While potential treatments aim to remove or repair the cells, one hurdle has been finding a way to identify them among healthy cells in living tissue. 

In the journal Aging Cell, Mayo Clinic researchers report finding a new technique to tag senescent cells. The team used molecules known as "aptamers" — small segments of synthetic DNA that fold into three-dimensional shapes. Aptamers have the ability to attach themselves to proteins on the surfaces of cells. In mouse cells, the team found several rare aptamers, identified from among more than 100 trillion random DNA sequences, that can latch onto specific cell surface proteins and flag senescent cells.

"This approach established the principle that aptamers are a technology that can be used to distinguish senescent cells from healthy ones," says biochemist and molecular biologist Jim Maher, III, Ph.D., a principal investigator of the study. "Though this study is a first step, the results suggest the approach could eventually apply to human cells."

From a quirky idea to collaboration  

The project began with the quirky idea of a Mayo Clinic graduate student who had a chance conversation with a classmate.

Keenan Pearson, Ph.D. — who recently received his degree from Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences — was working under the mentorship of Dr. Maher, studying how aptamers might address neurodegenerative diseases or brain cancer.

A few floors away, Sarah Jachim, Ph.D., — who was also then conducting her graduate research — was working in the lab of researcher Nathan LeBrasseur, Ph.D., Director, Mayo Clinic Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, who studies senescent cells and aging.

At a scientific event, the two happened to chat about their graduate thesis projects. Dr. Pearson thought aptamer technology might be able to identify senescent cells. "I thought the idea was a good one, but I didn't know about the process of preparing senescent cells to test them, and that was Sarah's expertise," says Dr. Pearson, who became lead author of the publication.  

They pitched the idea to their mentors and to researcher Darren Baker, Ph.D., who investigates therapies to treat senescent cells. At first, Dr. Maher acknowledges, the students' idea seemed "crazy" but worth pursuing. The three mentors were excited about the plan. "We frankly loved that it was the students' idea and a real synergy of two research areas," says Dr. Maher.

The students obtained compelling results sooner than they expected and quickly recruited other student participants from the labs. Then-graduate students Brandon Wilbanks, Ph.D., Luis Prieto, Ph.D., and M.D.-Ph.D. student Caroline Doherty, each contributed additional approaches, including special microscopy techniques and more varied tissue samples. "It became encouraging to expend more effort," Dr. Jachim says, "because we could tell it was a project that was going to succeed."

Identifying attributes of senescent cells

 The study has provided new information about senescent cells beyond a way to tag them. "To date, there aren't universal markers that characterize senescent cells," says Dr. Maher. "Our study was set up to be open-ended about the target surface molecules on senescent cells. The beauty of this approach is that we let the aptamers choose the molecules to bind to."

The study found several aptamers latched onto a variant of a specific molecule on the surface of mouse cells, a protein called fibronectin. The role of this variant fibronectin in senescence is not yet understood. The finding means that aptamers may be a tool to further define unique characteristics of senescent cells.

Additional studies will be necessary to find aptamers that can identify senescent cells in humans. Aptamers with the ability to latch onto senescent cells could potentially deliver a therapy directly to those cells. Dr. Pearson notes aptamer technology is less expensive and more versatile than conventional antibodies, proteins that are typically used to differentiate cells from one another.

"This project demonstrated a novel concept," says Dr. Maher. "Future studies may extend the approach to applications related to senescent cells in human disease."

See the study for a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Julie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

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As Mayo Clinic in Florida celebrates the opening of the Duan Family Building, a state-of-the-art facility that will house seven MRI machines, the need for highly trained imaging professionals is greater than ever. In response, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is expanding its Radiography Technologist Program to meet the moment and build the workforce of the future.

Beginning in January 2026, the program will welcome an expanded cohort of 20 students, doubling its original class size. The expansion reflects Mayo's commitment to proactive workforce development.

"The decision to increase our Radiography Technologist Program from 10 to 20 students per cohort wasn't just about growth; it was a strategic response to staffing challenges and future expansion, including the Duan Family Building," says David Ausejo, director of education at Mayo Clinic in Florida. "By offering affordable education and launching a focused MRI internship, we're creating a reliable, well-trained pipeline that directly supports our imaging needs and helps retain talent within Mayo Clinic Florida."

The program offers hands-on experience and training in diagnostic imaging, preparing participants to step into high-demand roles across the enterprise. To further strengthen the pipeline, Mayo has developed a five-month, post-primary MRI internship, designed to help graduates prepare for the MRI registry exam. The internship includes a stipend and benefits, making it a well-supported and accessible pathway into a critical specialty.

The Radiography Technologist Program expansion mirrors the success of Mayo's interventional radiology internship, which currently boasts a 100% hiring rate. Together, these programs offer a practical way to help current staff grow their skills while also tackling the nationwide shortage of imaging professionals. According to a 2024 survey from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the vacancy rate for radiologic technologists has surged to 18.1%, nearly tripling from just three years ago.

In addition to growing its own program, Mayo Clinic in Florida has opened clinical rotation slots for students from local universities, recognizing that many of Mayo's current diagnostic radiology technologists are graduates of local schools that have collaborated with Mayo in the past.

As the Duan Family Building opens its doors, Mayo Clinic is ensuring that the right people are in place to deliver world-class care. The expansion of the Radiography Technologist Program is a clear example of how Mayo is investing in its learners, its workforce and its future.

About Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences 
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences educates allied healthcare professionals to meet Mayo Clinic's staffing needs and to train the healthcare workforce of the future. Part of Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, the School of Health Sciences has more than 1,900 students enrolled annually in more than 210 allied health programs that offer transformational training and education, innovation and a commitment to excellence in patient-centered care. For more information, visit Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.   

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