Dr. Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate has made significant strides in advancing pancreatic cancer research with the support of Pelotonia funding. As Director of the Molecular and Cellular Biology Program and co-leader of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program at the OSUCCC – James, her research focuses on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the deadliest human malignancies. 

Since joining Ohio State in 2015, Dr. Cruz-Monserrate’s laboratory has received more than $350,000 from Pelotonia, which has funded multiple research trainees and supported two Idea Grants that investigate the role of adipose tissue in pancreatic cancer progression. This support has been instrumental in generating preliminary data for her newest federally-funded research grant from the National Institiute of Health and National Cancer Institute (NIH/NCI R01 Grant), which explores metabolic interactions within the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. 

Beyond her lab’s research, Dr. Cruz-Monserrate has mentored eight Pelotonia Scholars and remains an active Pelotonia participant as a 9-Year Rider and Peloton Captain for Team Buckeye-Guts in Gear personally raising more than $10,881. Dr. Cruz-Monserrate's work, alongside the Pelotonia community’s support for cancer research like hers, is contributing to significant progress for pancreatic cancer patients, including increased survival rates. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients has increased from six percent in 2000 to nearly 13 percent in 2024.  

The 2024 Pelotonia Awards winners were announced and celebrated at Night of Impact on November 20th. If you missed the event, you can watch the program on YouTube here.