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From the Bench to Breakthroughs: Jay Gamma’s Journey in Cancer Research

Jay Gamma, originally from Frimley, United Kingdom, is about to cross the stage at the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø with his graduate degree in hand and a body of research that’s already making waves in the world of cancer science.

Jay’s work tackled a fascinating molecular process called myristoylation, a tiny chemical tag that helps proteins know where to go and what to do inside cells. His focus? Understanding how this process contributes to cancer, and how to disrupt it to fight disease. Working specifically with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Jay helped investigate a promising drug called zelenirstat, which targets the enzymes responsible for myristoylation. His work supported the advancement of zelenirstat to human clinical trials for AML.

"Every question answered will ask more questions,” Jay says of his research journey. “You won't be able to answer them all and that's okay."

His findings weren’t just impactful, but they were recognized across the globe. Jay presented his work at top-tier conferences including the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and the GERLI Annual Congress, where he was awarded Best Young Presenter. He also earned the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø’s MedStar Award for his research excellence. His studies have been published in leading journals such as and .

Outside of the lab, Jay found balance through powerlifting and prioritizing what he calls his non-negotiable: sleep. His advice for future graduate students? Be flexible. “Things aren’t always going to go as planned, and being resilient and able to adapt will help you keep moving toward your goals.”

What’s next for Jay? He’s still exploring options, with a keen interest in the tech and innovation space. Wherever he lands, one thing is clear, Jay’s curiosity and dedication will continue driving discoveries that matter.