Mirrah Bashir, a Molecular & Translational Biology student advised by Daniel Frigo, PhD, has been selected as a predoctoral fellow in the UTHealth Houston Innovation in Cancer Prevention Research Training Program funded by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). This fellowship supports her research on the influence of metabolism on prostate cancer. 

Understanding a connection 

“Prostate cancer is often linked to metabolic syndrome, a condition that includes obesity, diabetes, and high blood sugar,” says Bashir. She adds that patients with metabolic syndrome often have more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, but the link between the two conditions isn’t fully understood. Bashir’s fellowship will support her research to investigate how metabolism influences prostate cancer progression, with a specific focus on the key protein CAMKK2, which helps cancer cells process nutrients. Her work aims to uncover how this protein might be driving more aggressive disease in patients with metabolic disorders. Understanding this connection, she says, could lead to more tailored treatment options for patients with both prostate cancer and metabolic syndrome. 

“I’ve always been fascinated by metabolism and endocrinology, but I never really had the chance to dive into it in my previous research,” says Bashir. When Bashir came to the Graduate School, she knew she wanted to study metabolism, but she was fascinated by the innovative cancer research she saw around her and found it challenging to narrow her focus. She decided to concentrate on both, choosing a lab that allowed her to work with metabolism while also tackling the big questions in prostate cancer. “It ended up being a perfect fit, and a very easy decision,” says Bashir, who added she has an incredible mentor in Frigo and is working with a great team of fellow researchers. 

A student-first environment  

Bashir chose the Graduate School not just for the research, but for the environment. “There are plenty of schools doing great science, but it’s rare to find one that puts its students first,” she says. As an international student, having a sense of community was paramount for Bashir, and the students she met during her visits weren’t just happy with their work – they felt genuinely supported and cared about by the program, she says. “The amazing research was obviously a huge plus, but knowing I’d be in an environment that values its students made all the difference,” says Bashir. 

She advises first-year students to take their time. “Your PhD isn’t something to get through, it’s a time to learn, grow, and make the most of every step,” she says. She adds that it’s important to take practical measures at this stage of education, such as taking great notes and making sure that nothing is rushed, from a single lab experiment to the entire course of a PhD.  

Communicating in a way that resonates

After graduation, Bashir hopes to continue her work as an academic scientist, but with a focus on science communication. She says that while she loves being at the bench, research is much more than her work in the lab — “it’s about sharing ideas, fostering collaboration, and making science accessible for everyone.” Whether she’s working with other researchers, mentoring students, or engaging with the public, Bashir aims to communicate complex scientific ideas in ways that resonate with people. Outside of the lab, Bashir connects with others about her PhD experience on Instagram.  

Giving back 

As she looks toward the future, Bashir hopes to continue studying how conditions like metabolic syndrome influence cancer progression. “There’s already great work being done in this space, but I want to contribute to the growing understanding of these links and how we can use that knowledge to improve treatment strategies,” she says. She feels fortunate to have had incredible mentors throughout her career, and she hopes to serve as a mentor herself and train future scientists. Providing young researchers with the support they need in their academic journeys, for Bashir, is the most meaningful way to give back to the scientific community.