June 2026
Dunk for a Cure
The Ferrer Lab works closely with the local Fight Cancer Stay Positive (FCSP) chapter and the Lustgarten Foundation and attends Dunk for a Cure each year. This DMV fundraiser supports pancreatic cancer research.
Lab news
Talks, awards, and life in the lab.
Recent talks, awards, collaborations, and celebrations from the Ferrer Lab.
May 2026
Our review featured on the Trends in Cell Biology cover
Our review on how the immune tumor microenvironment shapes metastatic dissemination, dormancy, and outgrowth was featured on the May 2026 cover of Trends in Cell Biology. The article was written by Garis Grant and Dr. Ferrer.
May 2026
Cells in Focus Symposium at Johns Hopkins University
Ferrer Lab trainees attended the Cells in Focus Symposium at Johns Hopkins University. Deborah’s abstract was selected for an oral presentation, and Garis presented a poster.
May 2026
Welcome, Natasha!
We welcomed Natasha Coutinho to the Ferrer Lab as a PhD student in Molecular Medicine. Natasha studies how metastatic pancreatic cancer cells use purine salvage to promote immune evasion.
February 2026
Invited to present at ACRT 2026
Dr. Ferrer was invited to present at the 2026 Advancements in Cancer Research and Therapeutics Conference in Boston. She presented the lab’s work on metastatic pancreatic cancer.
January 2026
Keystone Symposia: Spotlight on the Cancer Cell
Dr. Ferrer presented a short talk at the Keystone Symposium on cancer-cell properties and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Her presentation focused on slow-cycling, glutathione-sensing GSTT1-positive cells in therapy resistance and pancreatic cancer metastasis.
October 2025
Happy Halloween from the Ferrer Lab
The lab celebrated Halloween together with costumes, food, and a little time away from the bench.
September 2025
Forbeck Forum on Persistence, Apoptosis, and Minimal Residual Disease
Dr. Ferrer participated in the Forbeck Forum on Persistence, Apoptosis, and Minimal Residual Disease in Dublin, Ireland. The discussion focused on how drug-tolerant persister cells survive therapy and contribute to cancer relapse.
July 2025
Ferrer and Mulvaney joint lab meeting
The Ferrer and Mulvaney labs met to discuss ongoing work and areas of shared interest.
June 2025
15th Annual Cancer Biology Retreat at UMB
Garis presented a poster, Deborah delivered an oral presentation, and Dr. Ferrer joined an academic career panel. Congratulations to Deborah on earning first place for her talk!
June 2025
Dunk for a Cure
The lab joined the local FCSP chapter and the Lustgarten Foundation for Dunk for a Cure, their annual DMV fundraiser supporting pancreatic cancer research.
May 2025
V Scholar Summit
Dr. Ferrer attended the V Summit after receiving the V Scholar Award for Cancer Research. She discussed ongoing work with other V Scholars and researchers supported by the foundation.
March 2025
Forbeck Foundation Scholar Retreat
Dr. Ferrer joined fellow Forbeck Scholars in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. She presented the lab’s research and discussed it with other early-career investigators and senior cancer researchers.
October 2024
Laure Aurelian Award
Dr. Ferrer received the 2024 Laure Aurelian Prize from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by early-career faculty in biomedical research and mentorship.
September 2024
Forbeck Metastasis Meeting
Dr. Ferrer attended the Forbeck Foundation Symposium on Metastatic Disease with her postdoctoral mentor, Dr. Raul Mostoslavsky. The meeting focused on how tumor cells adapt during metastatic progression.