Masuda Akther Advances Cancer Research Through Prestigious PhRMA Fellowship
Masuda Akther, a fourth-year doctoral student in the Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology program at the Rutgers School of Graduate Studies (SGS), has been awarded a PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship in the Drug Discovery Program. The fellowship recognizes promising early-career scientists and supports research aimed at advancing new therapeutic strategies.
Akther’s work focuses on cancer metabolism and the development of more effective treatment approaches. Her research targets a persistent challenge in oncology: stopping tumors from returning after treatment.
“With this novel strategy, we are trying to stop tumor or cancer cell regrowth,” Akther said.
Her work centers on tumors driven by dysregulation of a key cellular pathway known as mTORC1. Existing treatments, such as rapamycin, can suppress this pathway but typically do not lead to lasting tumor cell death.
To explain her research, Akther uses a clear analogy:
“You can think of cancer as a fast-growing city trying to build its empire quickly,” she said. “We want to stop this by blocking the raw material supply, like nucleotides, which are essential for making the blueprint of cells—DNA.”
She added that cancer cells can adapt:
“Cancer cells are smart and can recover by activating their maintenance systems,” she said. “My research focuses on identifying targets within these maintenance systems that can be combined with nucleotide blockade.”
Her motivation to pursue cancer research is deeply personal. Growing up, she witnessed a close family member experience the side effects of chemotherapy.
“I saw my aunt go through the side effects of chemotherapy and ultimately lose her life,” she said. “From that time, I kept thinking about whether there is a way to develop better cancer therapeutics.”
Before coming to Rutgers, Akther worked as a lecturer at BRAC University in Bangladesh. She sought advanced training to become an independent researcher and chose Rutgers for its research environment.
“I chose Rutgers because it has the resources and facilities needed to train as an independent researcher,” she said.
At Rutgers, she joined the lab of Alexander Valvezan, where she found a research focus aligned with her goals.
“I am grateful to my mentor, Dr. Alexander Valvezan, for his continuous support and guidance,” she said. “He is always open to discussing new ideas and encourages us to move forward with them.”
The PhRMA fellowship will support her research and professional development.
“Receiving the PhRMA Foundation fellowship means a lot to me at this early stage of my career,” she said. “It motivates me to move forward with my research and strengthens my confidence in myself as a researcher.”
The fellowship will also provide opportunities to engage with the broader scientific community.
“It also supports my travel to conferences, which helps me communicate my research and connect with the scientific community,” she said.
One of the most meaningful aspects of this achievement is that she shares it with her spouse, who also received a PhRMA Foundation fellowship.
“Receiving the PhRMA fellowship alongside my spouse has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said. “It motivates us to continue our journey in research together, and it truly feels special to share this milestone.”
Akther describes her experience at Rutgers as both supportive and formative.
“Rutgers SGS has been very supportive throughout my graduate journey,” she said. “The support I have received here feels like a second home.”
“This is exactly the kind of work we hope to support at the School of Graduate Studies,” said Mark Robson, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. “Our students are doing important work across a wide range of fields, from cancer research to cultural and historical scholarship. That range is one of our greatest strengths and speaks to our commitment to supporting rigorous scholarship, creative inquiry, and meaningful impact across disciplines.”
Like many doctoral students, Akther has faced challenges along the way. Early in her training, she struggled with in vivo research techniques.
“I was very scared to even go near a mouse or hold it properly,” she said. “With time and practice, I was able to overcome this challenge and build confidence.”
Looking ahead, Akther hopes to continue her work as an independent researcher.
“My long-term career goal is to become an independent researcher, either in academia or industry, and continue studying cancer,” she said. “I want to see my research translate into real improvements in patient outcomes.”
For students considering competitive fellowships, she offers clear advice:
“I would suggest giving your best effort and starting early,” she said. “This allows enough time for multiple revisions and for incorporating feedback from mentors and peers.”
Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized the importance of support.
“I am grateful for the support system I have built during my PhD journey,” she said. “Their encouragement has played a big role in helping me grow both personally and professionally.”