We've Been Drafted!

What a night to remember! Inspired by the NFL Draft, the Young investigator Draft gave all the fanfare typically given to athletes to the next generation of rare disease researchers - and Jaye was selected as 1 of the talented 10! (It was also special to be at the Linc right before the Eagles took Super Bowl LIX!)

Though it may not seem like it as the third leading cause of cancer related deaths, pancreatic cancer affects less than 15 people per 100,000 each year in the US, classifying it as a rare disease. Even still, Jaye has had a number of friends and colleagues impacted by pancreatic cancer - and the same is true for the Pancreatic Cancer Cure Foundation, a patient advocacy organization dedicated to aiding the fight against pancreatic cancer, who nominated her for the award. 

The biggest thank you to Uplifting Athletes and the Pancreatic Cancer Cure Foundation for recognizing Jaye's work and the start of the Gardiner Lab!

Jaye with the wonderful folks from the Pancreatic Cancer Cure Foundation. From left to right: Jane Cygan, Jaye Gardiner, Laura Loggia, and Tony Cygan

The 2025 Young Investigator Draft class

Jaye (in converses as per usual) at the lectern giving thanks and accepting her award jersey.

If you want to see more of the event and all the kind words said about Jaye, check out the video below (start at ~1:08:00)!