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As one of this year’s Pelotonia Fellows, Max Wilberding is working to develop targeted therapies to treat cancer patients with a particular gene mutation. 

“Every patient is different, and analyzing them in this unique way and finding the best types of therapies for them is the best way for them to get treatment,” Wilberding said. “What we hope is that we learn so much from these clinical trials that we’re able to get some new medications out that will be the first rather than last resort.”  

When he was looking at colleges, Wilberding wanted a great research school — but he thought Ohio State might be too big. What ultimately sold him on Ohio State was talking to students during campus visits.  

“Every student had a unique story about finding their way here,” Wilberding said. “I really have found my place and my role here and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”   

His role is not only working in a groundbreaking cancer research lab, but also working toward a minor in English (his creative writing professor wrote one of his medical school recommendation letters!) and doing improv as part of Ohio State’s stand-up comedy club.  

“There are so many opportunities to find your niche here,” said Wilberding, who plans to pursue a dual MD-PhD degree with hopes of becoming a cancer research scientist. “Maybe I’ll even have my own lab one day."