Current KU IRACDA Scholars
Austin Eades, PhD
IRACDA Scholar, 2025–2028
Email: a319e329@kumc.edu
Office: Haworth Hall 8035
Educational Background
Ph.D. in Cancer Biology (2024)
University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
Supervisor: Dr. Michael VanSaun
B.S. in Chemistry
Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado
Current Research
Mentor: Dr. Robin Orozco, Molecular Biosciences
Austin is originally from Oklahoma and earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, followed by a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. His doctoral research focused on obesity-driven mechanisms affecting the growth and progression of pancreatic cancer. Specifically, he investigated how to rewire adipose tissue to disrupt the interactions between tumor cells and adipocytes. After finishing his Ph.D., Austin joined the IRACDA program, working under Dr. Robin Orozco. His current research focuses on a phosphatase that exists in all immune cells and has been linked to the regulation of melanoma and colon cancer growth. After completing the program, he intends to become a faculty member at a minority-serving, primarily undergraduate institution to mentor students pursuing careers in STEM and health-related fields while continuing his research.
Victoria Joan Sharp, PhD
IRACDA Scholar, 2025–2028
Email: victoriasharp@ku.edu
Office: Haworth Hall 7003
Educational Background
Ph.D. in Biology (2024)
Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
Supervisor: Dr. Mónica Medina
Current Research
Mentor: Dr. Paulyn Cartwright, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Victoria received her B.S. in Marine Biology at Texas A&M at Galveston and her Ph.D. in Biology at Penn State. Her doctoral research focused on exploring the development and symbiosis of the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana. In the IRACDA program, she is working with Dr. Paulyn Cartwright on how Hydractinia venom is used in the diverse nematocysts and polyps of the animal. She is a passionate supporter of diversity and increasing accessibility of scientific research to underrepresented groups and hopes to continue spreading her love of marine invertebrates through research and teaching.