Whitaker Lab Supports Firefighter Cancer Screening Advocacy

On October 19, 2026, Dr. Amy Whitaker joined efforts at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg in support of House Bill 2826, legislation aimed at expanding access to cancer screening for firefighters across Pennsylvania.

This effort reflects Fox Chase Cancer Center’s commitment to cancer prevention, early detection, and community engagement. Through collaboration between the Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer (NDC) Program (including Dr. John Whetstine) and the Community Outreach and Engagement Office (including Dr. Charnita Zeigler-Johnson), Fox Chase has worked with community partners to better understand firefighters’ health needs and promote education and access to cancer screening.

Firefighters face increased risks of certain cancers due to occupational exposures, making access to preventive care and early detection especially important. Supporting initiatives like this is an important step toward protecting the long-term health of those who serve and protect our communities.*

The other in the photos are:

Tiffany Fagnani is a thriver living with lung cancer, patient at Fox Chase, advocate, nurse, and one of our community liaisons part of this effort.

Frank Baxter is a volunteer firefighter, educator, firefighter trainer, and one of our community liaisons part of this effort.

Whitaker Lab Participates in the 2026 FASEB Conference on Dynamic DNA Structures

Whitaker Lab members Carson Cohen and Millie Coombes attended the 2026 FASEB conference on Dynamic DNA Structures in Biology in Arizona in July, where they presented their research posters and connected with scientists exploring the roles of dynamic DNA structures in biological processes.

Dr. Amy Whitaker also contributed to the scientific program with a talk titled “Oxidative DNA Lesions within the KRAS Promoter G-Quadruplex Modulate Transcription and Repair Activity,” presented during the Structure-Induced Genome Instability session.

Beyond the scientific sessions, the conference also provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues and researchers from across the field. Our lab members enjoyed spending time with Patty Opresko from the University of Pittsburgh, Carol Manhart from Temple University, and many others throughout the meeting. It was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen scientific connections, and build new collaborations.

Farewell, Riaz Meah!

On October 1, the Whitaker Lab gathered for a farewell lunch to celebrate Riaz as he prepares to continue his academic journey through further studies.

We’re grateful to Riaz for his contributions to the lab and the time we’ve shared working together. We appreciate all he has brought to the team and wish him every success as he takes this exciting next step in his academic journey. We’ll miss having him around and look forward to seeing all that he accomplishes!

Whitaker Lab at the Phillies Block Party!

The Whitaker Lab joined the Phillies Block Party at Fox Chase Cancer Center for an afternoon of fun, team spirit, and Philadelphia pride! ⚾️ We had a great time celebrating together and even got the chance to meet the Phillie Phanatic and capture some fun memories.

Congratulations to Chantal on Transitioning to the MCBG PhD Program!

Chantal has officially transitioned from the M.S. in Cancer Biology program to the Ph.D. Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology & Genetics (MCBG) at Drexel University. We look forward to her continued contributions to the Whitaker Lab and wish her all the best in her doctoral studies!!

Farewell to Christopher Merlo!

We bid a heartfelt farewell to our Scientific Technician, Christopher Merlo, and thank him for his dedication, hard work, and countless contributions to the lab. Chris has been an invaluable member of the team, consistently going above and beyond in everything he does. His reliability, attention to detail, and willingness to support others made a lasting impact on both the lab and everyone who had the pleasure of working with him. Beyond his professional contributions, Chris brought positivity, kindness, and a genuine sense of care to the lab. He was not only a colleague but also a friend to many. We are grateful for all that he has done and will truly miss his presence in the lab. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavors and continued success in all that he pursues!

Congratulations Chantal!

Congratulations to Chantal Kontor on earning her Master’s degree in Cancer Biology. This achievement reflects her dedication and hard work throughout her graduate training, and marks an important milestone as she continues her academic journey and transitions into PhD studies within the lab. We are proud of you!

Carson Cohen Receives 2026 C. David Allis Travel Award

Congratulations to Carson Cohen on being selected as a 2026 recipient of the Cancer Epigenetics Institute C. David Allis Travel Award at Fox Chase Cancer Center which entitles him to $2,000 in travel funds to attend conferences/workshops for his project titled “Oxidative DNA Lesions within the KRAS Promoter G-quadruplex Modulate Transcription by Altering Base Excision Repair Activity”. This award recognizes his strong commitment to research and scientific excellence and, we are excited to see his continued contributions to the field.

Chantal Kontor Defends Master’s Thesis

Congratulations to Chantal Kontor on successfully defending her Master’s literature review in April 2026 and advancing into the Molecular & Cell Biology and Genetics (MCBG) PhD Program at Drexel University. In recognition of her outstanding performance, the PhD candidacy examination requirement was waived. We are excited to see her continued growth and accomplishments as she advances in her doctoral studies!

Congratulations to Millie on Advancing to PhD Candidacy

Congratulations to Millie Coombes on successfully defending her thesis proposal in December 2025 and being elevated to PhD candidacy. We are proud of this important milestone and look forward to her continued success in graduate research!!!