Dr. Drapela Receives K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award
Research Education and Training congratulates Stanislav Drapela PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Gomes lab, on receiving a prestigious K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the National Cancer Institute. This award supports Dr. Drapela’s research on breast cancer dormancy and marks an important step toward his transition to a research career.
Dr. Drapela’s work focuses on understanding how dormant breast cancer cells can later reawaken and cause metastasis. His research aims to uncover the mechanisms that drive this transition and to identify new strategies to prevent it.
“If successful, this work could significantly advance the field by deepening our understanding of how dormant cancer cells behave within the metastatic microenvironment,” said Dr. Drapela. “Ultimately, we hope to uncover new ways to eliminate these cells before they can cause harm.”
The K99/R00 award provides protected time and resources to support Dr. Drapela’s research and career development. The R00 phase will support the launch of his own lab, where he plans to continue research on cancer dormancy and metastasis.
Dr. Drapela credits his mentor, Dr. Ana P. Gomes, with helping him grow as a scientist and think more broadly about the impact of his work.
“Entering the highly competitive world of grant applications can be daunting, but Dr. Gomes’s guidance has been invaluable,” he said. “Her support and mentorship provided me with the confidence and strategic mindset needed to navigate these challenges.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Drapela is excited to explore new frontiers in cancer dormancy research and to translate his findings into meaningful advances in patient care.
“I am most excited about the opportunity to pioneer research into previously unexplored aspects of cancer dormancy,” he said. “I believe this award will empower me to push the boundaries of current knowledge and make meaningful contributions that could transform patient care.”
Please join us in celebrating Dr. Drapela on this outstanding achievement and wishing him continued success!