PaceDay 2026 brought a record 909 registered participants to Augusta to support cancer research and patient care. Fundraising continues toward PACELINE’s $500,000 goal for the @GACancerCenter.
🔗 Donations can be made to support @pacelineride's goal here: paceline.org/PaceDay2026
AU professor Siva Panda, PhD, and undergraduate researchers Anshuman Khadanga and FaithAnn Ferguson were selected for the 2026-27 Scholars Transforming Through Research program, strengthening their skills in research communication and science advocacy.
go.augusta.edu/47pUsab
AU history professor Wendy Turner, PhD, presented research on premodern understandings of mental health and intellectual disabilities at a national meeting on the history of medicine and nursing.
Read more: go.augusta.edu/4hMvs34
New research from the @MCG_AUG reveals how sFlt-1 may contribute to preeclampsia by increasing production of the hormone leptin, which can worsen blood vessel dysfunction. The findings point to a potential avenue for future treatment research.
🔗 go.augusta.edu/3VyEd8e
A Dental College of Georgia researcher is examining what GLP-1 medications could mean for oral health. John C. Comisi, DDS, DMD, reviewed research on sleep apnea, the oral microbiome and medications such as tirzepatide and semaglutide.
Learn more: go.augusta.edu/4hBXHBj
Marco Orecchioni, PhD, has received the @NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, providing nearly $3.66 million to study how “immune noses” may affect cancer and response to immunotherapy. The research could help identify new approaches to cancer treatment.
go.augusta.edu/4j60e81
Researchers at the @MCG_AUG are exploring the diverse roles of neutrophils in health and disease. A new review coauthored by Yanfang “Peipei” Zhu, PhD, examines how these immune cells adapt to different tissues and disease environments.
go.augusta.edu/4hJlOwO
After skin cancer led to the loss of part of his ear, Tim Lively turned to @MCG_AUG for care. Amanda Behr, PhD, a certified clinical anaplastologist at DCG, created a custom prosthetic ear using 3D scanning, 3D printing and hand-sculpted artistry.
go.augusta.edu/46XkktW
As PaceDay 2026 approaches, @GACancerCenter PhD candidate Zainab Tiamiyu is researching how to strengthen the immune system’s response to cancer and improve immunotherapy with support from @pacelineride.
Learn more here: go.augusta.edu/4dkPgaZ
Hyundai Hope On Wheels awarded a $400,000 Scholar Hope Grant to Theodore S. Johnson, MD, PhD, at Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia to support pediatric brain cancer research.
jagwire.augusta.edu/hyundai-…
![Joined by Augusta University President Russell T. Keen, First Lady Karen B. Keen and a trio of Hyundai representatives, Theodore S. Johnson, MD, PhD, and cancer survivor Isabella Franco-Capps hold a symbolic check from Hyundai Hope On Wheels in recognition of a $400,000 grant awarded to Johnson for his research in childhood cancer.
[Michael Holahan/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HTpn3CYXAAAMZqM.jpg?name=small&format=webp)
ALT Joined by Augusta University President Russell T. Keen, First Lady Karen B. Keen and a trio of Hyundai representatives, Theodore S. Johnson, MD, PhD, and cancer survivor Isabella Franco-Capps hold a symbolic check from Hyundai Hope On Wheels in recognition of a $400,000 grant awarded to Johnson for his research in childhood cancer. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
Phillip Davis, PhD, the new dean of @AUG_Hull, brings corporate and higher education leadership experience to his new role and hopes to expand Hull College’s outreach and connections with the business community.
jagwire.augusta.edu/new-hull…
Fifth-year PhD student Ladan Kian, of @AUG_Cyber, is combining healthcare and technology to support people living with dementia. Her new software, Memolenz, is designed to help with everyday tasks while keeping caregivers informed.
jagwire.augusta.edu/sccs-phd…

ALT Image featuring various smart devices. Glasses, a smartwatch, a smartphone displaying a logo, and two small gadgets are arranged in a circle. Above the smartphone are photos of two individuals. Text labels read: "Caregiver-in-the-loop design," "Memory Support AI Agent," and "Multi Modal AI Design.
A team of researchers at the @ImmunologyAU identified five immune targets that may help explain how CD8+ T cells contribute to atherosclerosis. The findings could help advance research into targeted therapies for cardiovascular disease.
jagwire.augusta.edu/immcg-re…
Klaus Ley, MD, founding co-director of the @ImmunologyAU at @MCG_AUG, has been invited to join the @ImmunologyAAI's Sustainable Scientific Enterprise Task Force, examining challenges in the scientific publication process.
go.augusta.edu/4j87pMN
Allan and Ursula Soto committed $1 million to support the Kisner Center at Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia, helping expand developmental and behavioral healthcare for children and families.
go.augusta.edu/47040bA
Researchers at the @MCG_AUG found that LMOD1, a gene linked to coronary artery disease risk, may help protect the heart’s arteries. The study highlights the role of vascular smooth muscle cells in resisting plaque buildup.
go.augusta.edu/4r9CoKo
Researchers at @AUG_SPH received a $50,000 @pacelineride grant to study barriers to cancer survivorship care in rural Georgia. The team will gather perspectives from patients and providers in Greene County to help improve access to care.
go.augusta.edu/46YH10z
Following approval from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, @AUG_SPH is preparing to launch its first undergraduate degree program, a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, in fall 2027.
🔗 jagwire.augusta.edu/au-schoo…
New research featuring Klaus Ley, MD, founding co-director of the @ImmunologyAU at @MCG_AUG, provides evidence that atherosclerosis should be classified as an autoimmune disease.
go.augusta.edu/4r7Qlsh
SGA Dental Partners committed $2.5 million to support Augusta University’s new Savannah campus of The Dental College of Georgia, helping equip future dentists and dental hygienists while supporting the campus’ state-of-the-art dental simulation center.
go.augusta.edu/46nDA3q


![(From left) FaithAnn Ferguson, Siva Panda, PhD, and Anshuman Khadanga.
[Haley Crain/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HUx_vwEWMAAK9Jp.jpg?name=small&format=webp)



![Marco Orecchioni, PhD, previously discovered that olfactory receptors can be found on immune cells known as macrophages and monocytes. [Milledge Austin/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HUIxpo5WQAEHeur.jpg?name=small&format=webp)
![A new review by Yanfang “Peipei” Zhu, PhD, examines the remarkable adaptability of neutrophils and their increasingly recognized roles in health and disease.
[Milledge Austin/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HT-CXbRX0AA3ak9.jpg?name=small&format=webp)
![Yanfang “Peipei” Zhu, PhD, explores how the body’s immune cells help or hinder cancer and works to develop more effective cancer treatments.
[Milledge Austin/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HT-CX3OWQAAYN_f.png?name=small&format=webp)
![Zhu’s laboratory is pursuing these questions in cancer, focusing on how neutrophil progenitors and their progeny transition between anti-tumor and immunosuppressive states during tumor progression.
[Milledge Austin/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HT-CYEAX0AAKJOr.png?name=small&format=webp)
![Tim Lively wears a prosthetic ear created by Amanda Behr, PhD, the chair of the Department of Medical Illustration in the College of Allied Health Sciences and a certified clinical anaplastologist at the Dental College of Georgia Anaplastology Clinic.
[Michael Holahan/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HT5CkfZWQAEUqFl.jpg?name=small&format=webp)
![Zainab Tiamiyu, a PhD candidate in the Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology. [Lindsey Morris/Georgia Cancer Center]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HTp63eXWAAAAMWE.jpg?name=small&format=webp)



![Phillip Davis, PhD, is Augusta University's new dean of the James M. Hull College of Business. He said his previous positions have properly prepared him on how to bring new programs in, how to resource them and how to work and connect with faculty.
[Michael Holahan/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HTkybQ8XkAANmlu.jpg?name=small&format=webp)
![A research team led by Klaus Ley, MD, and Hossam Abdelsamed, PhD, focused on apolipoprotein B (ApoB), a protein found in LDL cholesterol particles that has previously been implicated as an autoimmune target in cardiovascular disease.
[Milledge Austin/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HTU-EUJW8AAfrLe.jpg?name=small&format=webp)
![Klaus Ley, MD, has been invited to join the AAI Sustainable Scientific Enterprise Task Force. [Milledge Austin/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HS2JkGUW0AALVkk.jpg?name=small&format=webp)
![The Soto family presents check to Wellstar Golisano Children's Hospital of Georgia.
[Photo courtesy of Vinea Foundation]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HS171LJWkAAV0sN.jpg?name=small&format=webp)
![The Miano Lab team in the MCG Vascular Biology Center.
[Michael Holahan/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HSiBawLX0AAFnAN.jpg?name=small&format=webp)
![From left: Al Dallas; Steven Coughlin, PhD; Marlo Vernon, PhD; Sejong Bae, PhD; and Martyn Jones. [Photo courtesy of Sejong Bae]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HScpLccW0AIDWk-.jpg?name=small&format=webp)

![Klaus Ley, MD, has spent more than two decades investigating the role of the immune system in atherosclerosis and how it contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries.
[Michael Holahan/Augusta University]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HSXg9sKWwAAUoJk.jpg?name=small&format=webp)

![Myles McAllister is the chief operating officer for SGA Dental Partners.
[Photo courtesy of SGA Dental Partners]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HSR8J8WXcAAQj6b.jpg?name=small&format=webp)
![Kyle Hollis, DMD, is chief clinical officer for SGA Dental Partners.
[Photo courtesy of SGA Dental Partners]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HSR8LKlWIAEiSAR.jpg?name=small&format=webp)