OU biomedical engineering student receives award

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Bill MacCuaig

Bill MacCuaig

A University of Oklahoma engineering student has been awarded the Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.

Bill MacCuaig, a doctoral student in the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering in the Gallogly College of Engineering, has been recognized for a technique that may help improve the detection of pancreatic cancer, a particularly aggressive disease in which only one in 10 people diagnosed live beyond five years.

“The NIH award allows promising doctoral students like Mr. MacCuaig the opportunity to develop into productive, independent scientists. External awards like this will provide him with funding support, as well as give him career-enhancing recognition,” said John Klier, dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering. “His work could make a notable and valuable contribution to the field of pancreatic cancer research. We’re very proud of him.”

MacCuaig’s work focuses on developing a clinically translatable nanocontrast agent to target pancreatic cancer for intraoperative imaging during surgical resection of pancreatic tumors using optoacoustic tomography.

“Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to treat because it is buried deep within your abdominal tissue so, it can be extremely difficult to detect in medical imaging,” MacCuaig said. He adds that he would eventually like to learn if his technique is safe and effective in people. “I hope at some point my work will go to clinical trials.”

MacCuaig came to Oklahoma in 2019 after earning a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester in New York. A native of Massena, New York, he anticipates completing his doctoral studies in mid-2023. Following graduation, he’d like to work in the biotech industry.

This year, MacCuaig is one of two to receive the Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award in the state of Oklahoma. Rachel McNamar, a graduate research assistant at the OU Health Sciences Center, received funds to investigate novel targets in cancer therapy.

To be considered for this column, please email achievement announcements and photos to LLynn@Oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU biomedical engineering student receives award

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