AACR-Swim Across America Cancer Research Fellowship

The AACR-Swim Across America Cancer Research Fellowship represents a joint effort to encourage and support a postdoctoral or clinical research fellow to conduct cancer research and establish a successful career path.

2025 Grantee

Helena Yu, MD

Associate Physician
University of California, San Diego
San Diego, California
Targeting Developmental Changes in Proteostasis to Improve HSC Transplant for Pediatric Cancer Patients

Scientific Statement of Research

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplants are a key component of pediatric cancer therapy. Adequate cell dose is used as a prognostic marker of graft function, but cell dose does not always predict patient outcomes, suggesting that unknown qualitative differences amongst HSCs may contribute to engraftment potential and regeneration. Recent discoveries have revealed that precise regulation of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is essential for preserving HSC fitness. In preliminary studies investigating HSC proteostasis, Dr. Yu determined that the developmental stage of HSCs influences the regulation of proteostasis and that alterations in proteostasis throughout development significantly disrupt hematopoiesis and HSC function. Dr. Yu will test the hypothesis that alterations in proteostasis underlie differences in HSC fitness and engraftment potential and ultimately impact clinical outcomes during HSC transplant.

Biography

Dr. Yu received her medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California in 2017 and completed a residency in pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland in 2020. She completed fellowship training in pediatric hematology/oncology at the University of California San Diego (UCSD)/Rady Children’s Hospital in 2023. She is currently an associate physician of pediatric hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant at UCSD/Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego. She is the co-director of the Bone Marrow Failure Program at Rady Children’s Hospital and is board-certified in pediatric hematology/oncology.

Acknowledgment of Support

“I am honored to receive the AACR-Swim Across America Pediatric Cancer Research Fellowship. This award provides support for me to build my research career and continue my work on improving hematopoietic stem cell transplant, a crucial cancer treatment for pediatric patients with high risk and relapsed cancers.”