Two cancer researchers at the University of Kentucky were selected as recipients of the 2024 Markey Women Strong Distinguished Researcher Award. 

The awardees are Mautin Barry-Hundeyin, MD, assistant professor in the division of surgical oncology, and Kathleen O’Connor, PhD, professor in molecular and cellular biochemistry and associate director of cancer education at Markey Cancer Center. 

Markey Women Strong (MWS) is a special program of the Markey Cancer Foundation focused on supporting women-led research at the UK Markey Cancer Center. MWS members review proposals and participate in a voting process to award two researchers $50,000 grants to support their endeavors.

Throughout the year, grant recipients update MWS members, “giving them an exclusive look into the latest cancer research and how their donations fuel groundbreaking discoveries right here in Kentucky.”

Since its establishment eight years ago, donors to MWS have provided $800,000 in grants, funding 16 investigations into diagnosing and treating a vast range of cancer diagnoses.

This year, Dr. Barry-Hundeyin received support for her research into “How Macrophages Regulate Stomach Cancer.” 

Dr. O’Connor received support for her research focus: “Can We Use Chemotherapy Better in Order to Cure Triple Negative Breast Cancer?”

Awards were presented during Markey Cancer Center Research Day in early May.