Abby Morrison

2024-2025 Iowa Innovation Leadership Fellow
Biography

Hometown: Burnsville, Minnesota
Studies: PhD student, Cancer Biology
About Abby: Abby’s journey into cancer research began during her undergraduate years, where she explored the mechanisms of cell death in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This formative research experience not only sparked her passion for cancer biology but also solidified her commitment to further education in the field.

Abby's personal connection to cancer runs deep, as she witnessed her grandmother's battle with cervical cancer and the profound effects of the disease and its treatment. This personal experience, coupled with her research background, drives her determination to advance cancer treatments and improve patient outcomes.

Currently, Abby’s thesis work focuses on understanding why endometrial cancer patients develop resistance to hormone therapy and finding ways to overcome this resistance. Her research heavily utilizes an automated live cell imaging system, enabling kinetic imaging to measure drug response. This cutting-edge approach is integral to her goal of uncovering novel insights into cancer progression and treatment resistance.

With a strong dedication to a career in cancer research, Abby aspires to innovate and improve treatment options, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients. She is committed to exploring new avenues in cancer research that can be translated into therapeutic solutions.

Beyond the lab, Abby enjoys reading, practicing yoga, cross-stitching, and horseback riding.