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Niagara University Receives Grant for Breast Cancer Research

October 14, 2009

Dr. Mary McCourt, chair and associate professor of chemistry (center), accepts a $150,000 award from the Avon Foundation for Women at the seventh annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York City Oct. 11. She is pictured with Carol Kurzig, president of the foundation (left), and Suze Orman, the foundation's special ambassador.

Dr. Mary McCourt, chairperson and associate professor of chemistry at Niagara University, has received a $150,000 grant from the Avon Foundation for Women to conduct research exploring the development of a new, noninvasive test for breast cancer that may replace the annual mammogram.

McCourt's research will examine if biomarkers collected from urine samples can be used to differentiate healthy breast tissue from diseased breast tissue, potentially replacing mammograms as a primary method of breast cancer screening. She will also investigate the use of these biomarkers in identifying metastatic disease, and whether the methodology could be used to follow the progression of disease and help plan treatment. Dr. Larry Mielnicki, an expert in breast tumor screens and an adjunct professor of chemistry at NU, will collaborate with McCourt on this research, which will be conducted through the university's Academic Center for Integrated Sciences.

"Avon has provided a tremendous opportunity to help us develop a simple urine test for identifying breast cancer," said Dr. McCourt. "This inexpensive, noninvasive technology will improve health care and make breast cancer testing available to groups of women that are not able to access more expensive technologies."

Several undergraduate students in Niagara's science programs will also participate in the research project.

"This will be a great opportunity to expand Niagara University's student-faculty research model to a very important health issue," noted Dr. Nancy McGlen, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Niagara's grant was one of eight awarded to local and regional breast cancer organizations by the Avon Foundation. The organization was founded in 1955 with the mission of improving the lives of women and their families through two key areas of focus: breast cancer and domestic violence.

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