How Can We Reduce Disparities in Cancer Care?

This summer, we invite you to explore the experiences and accomplishments of our 2025-2026 Bass Connections project teams. This series features team-written profiles that showcase the discoveries, challenges and impact of teams who spent the year tackling real-world problems.

Black patients with head and neck cancer often experience worse outcomes than white patients. Over the past year, the Disparity in Knowledge of Genetic Testing in Head and Neck Cancer team brought together students and faculty to better understand why advances in genetic testing and precision medicine have not benefited all patients with head and neck cancer equally. The project explored whether differences in tumors, along with barriers to genetic testing, may contribute to unequal outcomes. Through clinical research, literature reviews and studies of patient and provider perspectives, the team explored ways to make personalized cancer care more equitable for underserved populations.

This team was led by Alexandra Hunter (School of Medicine: MD student), Russel Kahmke (School of Medicine: Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences) and Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters (School of Medicine: Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences).

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By: Members of the Disparity in Knowledge of Genetic Testing in Head and Neck Cancer team

This profile has been edited for length and clarity.

Our team of undergraduate students, medical students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty members explored how advances in precision medicine might be applied more equitably to patients by evaluating patterns in the use and impact of genetic and precision medicine tools in head and neck cancer.

We examined topics such as the use of targeted therapeutics in cancer management, the role of next-generation genetic sequencing in guiding treatment decisions and the key genetic mutations that might predict the progression and outcome of these cancers. Over the year our project expanded to incorporate a broader investigation into precision medicine approaches, such as exploring how metabolic therapies influence disease progression and survival. This flexibility allowed us to stay aligned with developments in the field while deepening the scope of our work.

The most rewarding aspect of this project has been seeing our research translate into meaningful outputs. Our team worked on several publications that are currently under review at academic journals. We presented a poster at the Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase in April, with our entire group present to share our findings. We participated in the Duke Cancer Institute's Cancer Control and Prevention Poster Fair in May and the Duke Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences' Alumni Research Day in June, which gave us the opportunity to share our research with the scientific community. 

It's been incredibly exciting to witness the continued momentum of our work. Team members Avari Wang, Ayan Jung, Katelyn Peña and Jiyu Hong were awarded a Bass Connections Student Research Award to study immune-related adverse events in head and neck cancer this summer and during the 2026-2027 school year. We are incredibly honored to have received this award and see it as a great opportunity for future impact in oncology.

We're deeply grateful for the opportunities provided by Bass Connections. This program has connected us with mentors, collaborators and peers who have inspired a passion for personalized medicine in oncology care. This experience has equipped us with the skills and perspective to continue contributing to this evolving field.

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Team Member Reflections

Morgan Byrd (Postdoctoral Associate, School of Medicine: Head and Neck Surgery & Communications Sciences)

This was one the first projects I got involved in at Duke after starting my postdoc. I loved getting to work with and mentor students from diverse backgrounds with unique interests. Beyond the interesting and impactful work, it was most valuable watching the students’ expand their skill sets, develop their confidence and knowledge in the head and neck cancer space, and seeing their passion for research evolve. I know myself and the team are grateful for the support and opportunities that followed as a result of this project.

Ayan Jung (Biology and Economics ’28)

Through this project, I've had the opportunity to grow as a researcher while exploring questions that genuinely matter to me and have real-world impact. With the guidance of an incredibly supportive project lead, I developed a strong foundation in the research process and gained the confidence to take on a project of my own through the Student Research Award. I especially value how Bass Connections provides a scaffolded, collaborative environment while empowering students to apply what they have learned in increasingly independent and meaningful ways.

Avari Wang (Statistical Science ’27)

One of the most meaningful parts of Bass Connections was ​working on a multidisciplinary team with faculty, undergraduate and graduate students from different backgrounds and perspectives. We made mistakes, ran into challenges and adapted our projects along the way — all of which are integral parts of meaningful research that I am grateful we had the chance to experience and overcome. This experience strengthened not only my research skills but also my appreciation for collaborative problem-solving and reinforced my interest in pursuing a career that combines research and patient care. Looking forward, my team and I are excited to have been granted the opportunity to continue our research in head and neck cancer through Bass Connections Student Research Awards.

Learn More

• Browse additional summer series highlights.
• Explore additional teams in the Race & Society theme.
• Learn about the project team experience through stories from students.