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Miguel Disbennett has a strong interest in the genetic component of cancer. His Pelotonia-funded research looks at a particular protein-coding gene that could have implications in gene therapy treatments for cancer. 

“Once we understand how the gene works, we could pass that on to find some sort of genetic treatment,” Disbennett said. “If you could survive without this gene, then deleting it through gene therapy treatments could cause cancer to become less prevalent.”  

While working in the lab at Ohio State, Disbennett has gained a number of valuable insights. He’s learned that research takes patience and requires resilience, that it’s important to maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity in the lab, and that it’s essential to learn to interact with researchers from a wide variety of backgrounds.  

That real-life lab experience is one of the key benefits of the Pelotonia fellowship, said Director Rosa Lapalombella. “Being able to spend a year in a lab exposed to a mentorship exposure, they know what the life of a scientist looks like,” she said.  

After he graduates with a degree in microbiology, Disbennett plans to embark on an eight-year Medical Scientist Training Program with a career goal of medical research in a field combining microbiology and genetics.