Press Release: Florida Breast Cancer Foundation Invests Nearly $1 Million In Groundbreaking Breast Cancer Research Across Florida
Press Release from Florida Breast Cancer Foundation:
Ten scientific research grants support innovative studies focused on treatment, metastasis, drug resistance, artificial intelligence and more
Orlando Fla. (October 5, 2026) — Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (FBCF) has awarded $998,621 in 2026–2027 Scientific Research Grants to researchers at leading institutions across Florida, funding 10 innovative studies aimed at advancing the understanding, treatment and prevention of breast cancer.
The projects address some of the most complex challenges in breast cancer today, including triple-negative and lobular breast cancers, metastasis, treatment resistance, precision immunotherapy, artificial intelligence, treatment-related heart damage and the relationship between obesity and breast cancer.
“Research is where possibility becomes progress,” said Karen Patti, Executive Director of the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation. “These scientists are tackling extraordinarily complex questions that have the potential to transform how breast cancer is detected, treated and ultimately prevented. We are incredibly proud to invest in Florida researchers whose work may lead to better therapies, improved outcomes and, most importantly, more lives saved. Every breakthrough begins with the willingness to pursue an idea, and the resources to make that pursuit possible.”
FBCF’s 2026–2027 Scientific Research Grant recipients and projects include:
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Inc – Dr. Martina Molgora - Impact of Obesity on Macrophage-Targeting Strategies in Breast Cancer
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Inc – Dr. Thordur Oskarsson - Mapping tetraspanin webs that control chemoresistance in dormant breast cancer
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Inc – Dr. Vural Tagal - Coordinated Therapeutic Strikes along the Ploidy Axis
- Mayo Clinic Jacksonville – Dr. Saranya Chumsri - AI-Enabled Spatial Single-Cell Immune Mapping in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- University of Central Florida Board of Trustees – Dr. Wencai Zhang - Metabolic Targeting of SDH to Block Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- University of Florida – Dr. Thomas Burris - The use of ERR agonists to prevent Doxorubicin-induced Heart Failure
- University of Florida – Dr. Rodrigo Cristofoletti - Smart Trop-2 CAR-T with Synthetic Circuits for TNBC Precision
- University of Florida – Dr. Sulma Mohammed - Silent Highways: Targeting the Lymphatic Network to Halt Breast Cancer Metastasis
- University of Florida – Dr. Weizhou Zhang - FOXA1 in lobular breast cancer - Biology and Therapeutic Target
- University of Miami – Dr. Xiaodong Cai - Accurate and cost-effective AI prognostic models for breast cancer
FBCF’s research funding is made possible in part through everyday actions by Floridians. Funding comes from purchases of Florida’s End Breast Cancer specialty license plate, voluntary contributions made when obtaining or renewing a Florida driver license or vehicle registration, and contributions from Pickups for Breast Cancer.
“All of this support allows us to invest in some of the brightest scientific minds in our state and move promising ideas from the laboratory closer to the patients and families who urgently need them,” added Patti.
The research investment follows FBCF’s recent award of $146,440 in 2026–2027 Education Grants to 11 Florida organizations, supporting programs focused on breast cancer education, early detection, patient navigation, self-advocacy and survivorship.
About the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation
The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (FBCF) is dedicated to ending the suffering caused by breast cancer through education, research and direct service programs. Serving communities throughout all 67 Florida counties, FBCF has awarded $16 million through 493 grants since 1993 and has helped educate, support and empower more than 818,000 people. Since the launch of its Scientific Research Grant program in 2005, FBCF has awarded more than $12.2 million in scientific research grants. Funding is supported in part through Florida’s End Breast Cancer specialty license plate, voluntary contributions made through a driver license or vehicle registration renewal, and proceeds from donating clothing or household goods through Pickups for Breast Cancer.
Learn more at FloridaBreastCancer.org, and follow on socials @flbreastcancerfoundation.
