Igniting Immunity: Elias Sayour’s Patients Inspire Pioneering mRNA Cancer Vaccine Research

The look in her eyes and her next words would be etched forever in the mind of Elias Sayour, MD, PhD. Months earlier, the girl’s right leg was amputated, the…

Physician Spotlight: Lakshmi Balasubramanian Translates New Therapies Into Improvements for Patients

Lakshmi Balasubramanian, MD, or “Dr. Bala,” was drawn to gastrointestinal oncology because of the opportunity to work with experts across different specialties…

World Cancer Day: Jess Finds Hope and Gratitude Through Advanced Cancer

Jess Thornton was vigilant about getting her cancer screenings. With a family history of breast cancer, she got breast imaging annually. In July 2024, a few…

Media Coverage of Study Finding COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Sparks Immune Response to Fight Cancer

On Oct. 22 in the journal Nature, MBI researchers published a study finding that patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a COVID-19 mRNA…

Gut bacteria molecule boosts lung cancer treatment response

January 5, 2026

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — UF Health Cancer Institute researchers have discovered a small compound produced naturally by gut bacteria that doubled the response to…

Physician Spotlight: Muhammad J. Tariq, MD, Champions New Treatments for Blood Cancers

Muhammad J. Tariq, MD, was drawn to hematology and oncology by the rapidly evolving science and the opportunity to help patients live full lives. After…

Physician Spotlight: Judith Lightsey Brings a Patient-First Mindset to GI and GU Cancer Care

Judith Lightsey, MD, has rejoined University of Florida Health as a part-time clinical associate professor in the UF Department of Radiation Oncology. She…

Steve Took a Chance on a New Treatment, Now He’s Cancer-Free

There seemed to be no more wiggle room — the walls were closing in on Steve Hurm. Five years of fighting prostate cancer only felt like delaying the inevitable…

Shelby Fights Off Aggressive, Fast-Spreading Brain Tumor at UF Health

Shelby Copas, always a natural athlete, collected several trophies throughout her childhood. Her extraordinary athleticism was especially on display in…

Physician Spotlight: Gahyun Gim, MD, Aims To Be a Lifelong Partner for Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients

Gahyun “Gigi” Gim, MD, discovered her calling in gastrointestinal oncology during the third month of her internal medicine residency when she experienced a…