First story of 2026 has been a 30-year-old mystery: What does occludin, a protein that was thought to only regulate the tight connections between cells, actually do? Learn more: michmed.org/YWzM4.

Elliott Belair has lived more lifetimes as a baby than most of the adults I know. He was diagnosed with ATRT, a rare and aggressive brain cancer, when he was only four weeks old. He went through 17 rounds of chemotherapy and won over hearts with his cheerful personality: michmed.org/mDX9W.

Landen DJ were both diagnosed with osteosarcoma—just one week apart. What began as two high school students fighting the same rare cancer has become a bond that continues to bring strength and joy to their families and care team alike. Read more: michmed.org/gVb73.

I always thought that fish oil supplements were good for you...until I talked to these experts. U-M researchers have shown that the gene ALOX15 is essential for helping fish oil supplements suppress colorectal cancer, emphasizing the need to screen for ALOX15 in cancer patients: michmed.org/DQvA8.

One of the best parts of this job is meeting the incredibly brave patients who entrust me with writing their story. Read my latest! Seven-year-old Emilia Pigeon overcame neuroblastoma and won over her care team with her 'optimistic sassiness' in the face of chemotherapy: michmed.org/vQrqW.

A massive team effort by U-M researchers have found that glioblastoma cells rewire how they use sugar, which can be targeted in mice to slow tumor growth and improve treatment responses. @lyssiotislab.bsky.social @dnagrathlab.bsky.social Learn more: michmed.org/MD2X2.

What a busy month! My latest is about how our brains control glucose levels when we're asleep. These findings could explain what happens in patients with prediabetes. Learn more: michmed.org/eQqM9.

For the first time, the FDA has approved a treatment for diffuse midline glioma. The drug ONC201 will bring new hope for patients with DMG. I spoke to Carl Koschmann, a pediatric oncologist, about U-M's research with ONC201 and what the approval means for patients. Learn more: michmed.org/WXd3Z

Led by U-M researchers, a global team has developed a new technology called PathoPlex, to map more than 140 different proteins across 40 tissue samples from people with diabetic kidney disease. Learn more about my latest at michmed.org/zgrQw.

Even more microscopy images! 🔬 In a new study, U-M researchers have shown that inactivating CDK12/13, a key pathway, boosts the body’s immune response against tumors. Learn more: michmed.org/yg4y3.

I'm a sucker for microscope images 😍 Also fun when they go with cool stories! In a new paper, U-M researchers found that maintaining the balance of amino acids is important for photoreceptor health. Learn more: michmed.org/mDRGm.

New paper from @soleimanpourlab.bsky.social's lab! They found that mitochondria accumulate misfolded proteins, which kills β-cells. Reversing this process could help treat type 2 diabetes. Learn more at michmed.org/jV2yP.

With all the interest in space missions, I don't think people appreciate just how much challenges n vision factor into the life of astronauts. Read my latest about how spaceflight affects vision and what protective measures astronauts use: michmed.org/JDdPJ.

My love for virology 🤝 new cancer treatments U-M researchers are turning to inactivated versions of adenoviruses, which are a common type of respiratory virus, to target brain tumors in children! Learn more at michmed.org/nVM2K.

It never ceases to amaze me that I work with a fantastic group of people who helped me put this together in three hours. Thanks @wandering-gu.bsky.social for answering questions about former President Joseph Biden’s diagnosis: michmed.org/WXXej.

Probably the coolest way to fight cancer cells is immunotherapy, which uses a person’s own immune system to fight cancer. I talked to a U-M team that showed the balance between two proteins—STAT3 and STAT5—is important for making tumors vulnerable to a type of immunotherapy: michmed.org/RBB22.

Love covering basic science research that has far-reaching implications! U-M researchers used showed that loss of SOX9 gene promotes tumor progression and the pathway it regulates can be a potential target for future treatments. Learn more at michmed.org/ZxxZw.

I learn something new every day! Tamoxifen, a common breast cancer preventative, can cause side effects, including an increased risk for type 2 diabetes in women with excess body weight. In a new study, U-M researchers investigated alternatives to tamoxifen. Learn more at michmed.org/923MG.

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death. U-M researchers, including @djcalebc.bsky.social and @lyssiotislab.bsky.social, have discovered that simultaneously targeting two key pathways can eliminate tumors. Learn more about their work in @nature.com at michmed.org/Zx7wD.

Even though microbial keratitis is a preventable cause of blindness, it's a complex infection to treat, and many patients have lasting vision impairment. Dr. Woodward answers questions about what causes microbial keratitis, symptoms and preventative measures. Learn more at michmed.org/DQnYx.

Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive brain tumor that mainly affects adults. Unfortunately, there are no cures. U-M researchers have now created nanodiscs that can starve the cancer cells and increase survival rates of the treated mice. Read more at michmed.org/AQPDM.

21-year-old Ethan White was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, a rare type of brain cancer, in March 2024. As he passes the one-year mark of his diagnosis, White is hopeful that he might be the first person to beat the cancer. Read about his story: michmed.org/kVkVj

Just eight months after undergoing robotic surgery to remove his cancerous prostate, Mark Cwiek, a 70-year-old track and field athlete, successfully competed in the World Masters Athletics Championship. Read about his journey at michmed.org/5G3kn.

Cancer-related fatigue can sometimes persist weeks, months or even years after treatment ends. U-M researchers have developed and tested a personalized app that tracks a user’s circadian rhythm and makes behavioral recommendations to reduce daily fatigue. Learn more at michmed.org/AQx4D.

Sure, the #STATMadness tournament of science is just for fun. But this year, it means more. Please do what Coach says & vote for the University of Michigan & NYU/U-M teams here: www.statnews.com/feature/stat... @drsarahsperry.bsky.social @tvalley.bsky.social youtube.com/shorts/_h0TQ...

One in eight American women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. A combination of factors can influence your risk. Dr. Pilewskie answers questions about how you can accurately assess your risk and what lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk: michmed.org/7KZDr.

Treating tumors in the brain and spinal cord can be challenging because they are often difficult to access through surgery due to their location and can be very aggressive. Read my latest about the new Phase I CAR T trials that started in 2025: michmed.org/vQx8x.

Diabetic retinal disease is the leading cause of preventable blindness for those aged 20-74 years. Dr. Gardner discusses current screening recommendations and treatment options for DRD. Read my latest work at michmed.org/GQK4B

No more speculum-based exams? Sign me up! My latest for Michigan Medicine: michmed.org/mdZyy.

My latest with @soleimanpourlab.bsky.social! What a staggering body of work, published in @science.org. Link: Link: michmed.org/GqwdZ.

There's a dog, a brave kid, and a helicopter! What's not to like? Read my first patient story: michmed.org/jWw3Q.

Abdominal pain is a common reason why children are taken to the ER and a few of them usually have appendicitis. Although delayed diagnosis of appendicitis can be life threatening, overtesting can cause harm. Learn how hospitals deal with this problem: michmed.org/Rnq8M.

My latest for Michigan Medicine! Link: michmed.org/Vn8KP

New account, new job, new article! Seems like a good way to kick things off over here. In my latest piece, I spoke to @johnprensner.bsky.social about how researchers are working to improve our understanding of Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors. Link: michmed.org/Kkb5Z