Researcher Spotlight: Maria White, PhD

The university of north carolina at chapel hill

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human pathogen that has been linked to the development of many types of cancers, including lymphoma. EBV-associated lymphomas are aggressive and often unresponsive or resistant to treatment, highlighting the need for new therapeutic options for these patients. “Our laboratory previously identified proteins with higher expression in EBV-positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) compared with normal cells, since proteins with high activity in cancer are potential therapeutic targets,” Dr. White explains. This project will determine the extent to which one of these proteins, NEK2, contributes to EBV-positive lymphoma growth, and if inhibiting NEK2 reduces tumor burden and prolongs survival in animals.

“I started my research career 15 years ago at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where I tested the ability of an equine herpesvirus to kill human brain cancer cells,” says Dr. White. “This project sparked within me a passion for both virus and cancer research.” After completing her graduate work at Emory University, where she studied influenza viruses, Dr. White returned to the field of viral oncology for her postdoctoral work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. She hopes that her work throughout her career moving forward will help to advance the treatment field for patients with both viral and non-viral forms of lymphoma.

“Both of my parents are currently in remission (from non-lymphoma malignancies), and they have been my biggest supporters throughout my career,” says Dr. White. “Seeing their strength, and the strength and resilience of the many cancer patients and cancer survivors I’ve had the privilege of meeting during my career, inspire me every day to move forward.”

She is grateful and honored to receive this award from the Foundation, and looks forward to advancing the viral lymphoma field with the Foundation’s support.