# Defining Tumor Microenvironmental Interactions that drive THY1-Mediated Treatment Resistance in Glioblastoma

> **NIH NS K08** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2026 · $233,280

## Abstract

This K08 proposal will complete Dr. Wajd Al-Holou’s training towards his long-term career goal of directing an
independent research program that aims to define critical cellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment
that drive treatment resistance in glioblastoma (GBM) and ultimately identify therapies targeting mechanisms of
resistance. Dr. Al-Holou is an assistant professor in the department of Neurosurgery at the University of
Michigan with established success in the field of neurosurgical oncology who completed his clinical training at
the University of Michigan and MD Anderson Cancer Center. This proposal builds on Dr. Al-Holou’s previously
acquired expertise in tumor biology and the development and analysis of recurrence models in GBM and
proposes further training in defining tumor microenvironmental interactions utilizing in vitro and in vivo
modeling, cancer genomics and bioinformatics, cancer biology, research ethics, grant writing and biostatistics,
by means of investigative research and formal course work. Dr. Maria Castro, an internationally recognized
expert on glioma tumor biology and the tumor microenvironment (TME) with a strong record of training
scientists, will serve as primary mentor. Dr. Pedro Lowenstein, renowned for his work in vivo modeling and the
development of novel therapies for GBM, and Dr. Thomas Wilson, an expert in the utilization of advanced
genomics to answer critical biological questions, will serve as co-mentors and have a long track record of
mentoring success. The University of Michigan has a rich and collaborative environment, and a strong
institutional commitment to its trainees. This 5-year plan includes formal coursework, professional development
and progressively independent research, with defined milestones to ensure productivity and a successful
transition to independence.
GBM is a lethal disease with therapeutic resistance that is driven by marked heterogeneity within the tumor
microenvironment. The goal of this res

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11319714
- **Project number:** 5K08NS128271-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Wajd  Al-Holou
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NS
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $233,280
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2024-03-01T00:00:00 → 2029-02-28T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11319714

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11319714, Defining Tumor Microenvironmental Interactions that drive THY1-Mediated Treatment Resistance in Glioblastoma (5K08NS128271-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-20 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11319714. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*