The Center for Innovation and Translation of Point of Care Technologies for Equitable Cancer Care (CITEC) has announced its inaugural group of subawardees, marking a significant milestone in its mission to develop and disseminate innovative technologies for cancer detection and treatment, particularly in low-resource settings.
Led by Rice University, CITEC spans three continents and brings together seven leading organizations, including the Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies, Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and key partners in Brazil and Mozambique. CITEC is funded by a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a premier research center in the Texas Medical Center aimed at transforming access to cancer care worldwide.
As part of its efforts, CITEC awards subgrants to researchers whose projects align with its mission and goals. CITEC announced a solicitation last year, and four inaugural subawardees were selected for their innovative approaches to cancer prevention, their potential to deliver realistic and impactful outcomes and their dedication to advancing equitable health care solutions:
Sanchita Bhadra, research assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin, for the development of an affordable, single-visit test to detect 14 high-risk HPV types associated with cancer using a color-change indicator for easy results interpretation. The project involves creating detection probes, designing a multitype device and testing on swab samples to improve HPV screening, reduce costs and minimize follow-up needs.
Dongkyun Kang, assistant professor of optical sciences and biomedical engineering at the University of Arizona, for the development of deep learning algorithms to automatically analyze images of anal lesions from sLSM imaging, aiding doctors in biopsy decisions across clinical settings. The tool aims to match pathologists’ accuracy in detecting high-grade lesions with 91% sensitivity and 85% specificity, enabling real-time classification in under 0.03 seconds.
Dr. Daniel Rosen, professor of pathology and immunology at Baylor College of Medicine, for research focused on developing the OpenFlexure Microscope, an affordable 3D-printed microscope for cancer screening in low- and middle-income countries optimized for telepathology use. The project includes clinical validation, local staff training and support for sustainable, accessible cancer screening through local 3D-printing facilities.
Nancy Schoenbrunner, CEO of AmplifiDx, for research on improving HPV testing by incorporating E6/E7 mRNA detection into the DX-100 system to facilitate rapid triage of women at risk for cervical cancer. By validating biomarkers and preparing for regulatory approval, the test aims to offer a faster, more accurate assessment of cancer risk than DNA-based tests, enabling timely, personalized care.
“These subawardees embody innovation and what it means to drive equitable health care around the world,” said Dr. Sharmila Anandasabapathy, professor of medicine in gastroenterology and vice president and senior associate dean of global programs at Baylor College of Medicine and co-principal investigator of CITEC. “Each project not only addresses critical gaps in cancer detection but also offers transformative potential to improve outcomes in underserved communities around the world. Their work exemplifies CITEC’s mission to make high-quality cancer care accessible to everyone.”
CITEC is funded by the Point-of-Care Technologies Research Network established by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the NIH under grant No. 1U54EB034652-01.