Student Impact

Rebecca Cook

Destroying tumor cells

Scorpion toxin-antibody fusion protein to destroy brain tumor cells. Rebecca Cook, PhD student in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering is conducting research to improve survival rates and prolong patient lifespans by engaging their immune systems to destroy tumor cells. Cook’s toxin/antibody protein, which binds to the tumor cells to combat their survival is under consideration for a patent. Her research in deploying scorpion venom against glioblastoma has received multiple institutional grants and gained national recognition in its promise.