Weill Cornell Medicine Researchers Awarded $1.35M in Prostate Cancer Grants

Six early-career investigators receive Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Awards to advance innovative research projects.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:35pm

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Six early-career researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have been awarded a total of $1.35 million in Young Investigator Awards from the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). The grants, ranging from $225,000 over three years, will support diverse projects aimed at understanding prostate cancer biology, developing new therapies, and improving patient outcomes.

Why it matters

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the Western world, making continued research and innovation in this field crucial. These awards from the PCF help energize the field with fresh ideas from promising young investigators, which could lead to breakthroughs in prostate cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.

The details

The research projects span a range of approaches, including overcoming treatment resistance, exploring the role of metabolism in cancer progression, improving patient care through personalized programs, and gaining new insights into metastasis and genetic factors. For example, Dr. Cheuk Man Cherie Au is developing a 'molecular glue' to destroy the androgen receptor, a key driver of prostate cancer growth, even in resistant forms of the disease. Dr. Silvia Rodrigues will investigate how fat metabolism influences the ability of prostate cancer cells to adapt and become resistant to treatment.

  • The PCF Young Investigator Awards were announced on March 26, 2026.

The players

Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF)

A leading non-profit organization dedicated to funding innovative prostate cancer research and advancing new treatments to improve outcomes for patients.

Weill Cornell Medicine

A renowned academic medical center in New York City, known for its excellence in medical education, biomedical research, and patient care.

Dr. Cheuk Man Cherie Au

An early-career investigator at Weill Cornell Medicine who is developing a novel 'molecular glue' to target the androgen receptor, a key driver of prostate cancer growth.

Dr. Silvia Rodrigues

An early-career investigator at Weill Cornell Medicine who is exploring the role of fat metabolism in prostate cancer cell adaptation and treatment resistance.

Dr. Bashir Al Hussein Al Awamlh

An early-career investigator at Weill Cornell Medicine who is addressing the issue of health literacy in prostate cancer patients to improve their understanding of their diagnosis and treatment options.

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What’s next

The Prostate Cancer Foundation will continue to support and monitor the progress of the research projects funded through the Young Investigator Awards.

The takeaway

The Prostate Cancer Foundation's investment in early-career researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine demonstrates its commitment to driving innovation and advancing our understanding of prostate cancer, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for patients.