Molecular and Translational Biology Program PhD student Peyton High was awarded the prestigious Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellowship earlier this year, providing meaningful support for innovative research in colorectal cancer (CRC) therapeutics. The fellowship is funding High’s project focused on developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) — a promising class of targeted therapies designed to deliver potent drugs directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

“Think of ADCs as biological missiles,” High explains. “They’re engineered to seek out cancer cells and deliver treatments with high precision.”

High’s research includes both combination therapies of ADCs with existing FDA-approved treatments and the generation of novel bispecific ADCs that simultaneously target two cancer-related receptors. Funding from the fellowship will help expand testing in patient-derived CRC models and support the evaluation of new drug payloads critical to the work.

Among the other awards High has received to support his research include the Andrew-Sowell Wade-Huggins Fellowship, the Dean’s Research Scholarship Award, the Gulf Coast Consortia Training Interdisciplinary Pharmacology Scientists (TIPS) T32 Fellowship, and the Investing in Student Futures Scholarship, established by Priscilla Saunders, PhD, in memory of her husband and Graduate School faculty member Grady F. Saunders, PhD.

A purpose-driven path rooted in shared scientific vision

The choice to attend The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) was a deliberate one, rooted in the school’s reputation and environment.

“GSBS stood out for its unparalleled cancer research and the resources available through the Texas Medical Center. But what impressed me most was the culture — a place where faculty and students are genuinely invested in each other’s success.”

High’s interest in cancer therapeutic development began early in his academic journey, but it was a connection with advisor Kendra Carmon, PhD, that helped shape the direction of his current work.

“During my application process at GSBS, I interviewed with Dr. Carmon and felt an immediate connection — to both her and the work being done in her lab. That first rotation confirmed everything. I knew this was the right place and the right project.”

Mentorship and community are cornerstones of success

High believes a strong mentor-mentee relationship is one of the biggest factors in achieving a productive and successful PhD journey. He recommends that first-year students take advantage of all three rotations offered at the Graduate School to explore different styles and find the right fit — a mentor they can see themselves working with for the entirety of their PhDs.

“While enjoying your science is certainly a central aspect of your PhD, an outstanding mentor is critical in helping you effectively manage the ups and downs that come with being a PhD student. I’m deeply grateful for my mentor, Dr. Carmon, for her unwavering support and mentorship throughout my PhD. The successes that I have been able to achieve thus far as a graduate student would not have been possible without her mentorship.”

The support High has received from the Molecular and Translational Biology Program student and faculty community is equally as important.

“I have always felt so much support from the program and being part of it has been one of the greatest parts of being a PhD student at GSBS.”

Looking ahead: from the lab to the clinic

Following graduation, High plans to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship in cancer drug development — a critical next step toward his goal of becoming a principal scientist in the biotech industry. He envisions leading a team focused on bringing experimental cancer therapies from the lab bench into clinical trials and ultimately to patients.

Until then, High is taking advantage of the many opportunities at the Graduate School and beyond to share his science and collaborate with others in his field. Most recently he presented his research at the MD Anderson Research Town Hall, the Graduate School’s Graduate Student Research Day where he placed in the top five Post-Candidacy PhD Poster Competition, the Moffitt Innovators of Tomorrow Symposium, and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies 2025 Discover Symposium.

High’s first-author research article “Cetuximab increases LGR5 expression and augments LGR5-targeting antibody-drug conjugate efficacy in patient-derived colorectal cancer models” was recently accepted to Cell Reports Medicine and is expected to be published in a few weeks!