Meet Our Fellows: Daniela Haas

Fellow: Daniela Haas
Home Institution: Graz Medical University/ Medizinische Universitaet Graz
Host Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Topic: Biomarker and resistance mechanisms of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

My name is Daniela Haas, and I am spending six months at the University of Pittsburgh in the lab of Steffi Oesterreich and Adrian Lee. A key focus of their research is understanding therapy resistance in invasive lobular breast cancer, a subtype that accounts for 10-15% of all breast cancer cases. Prof. Steffi Oesterreich and her team have developed an extensive biobank of 2D and 3D patient-derived breast cancer models. Therefore, I chose the University of Pittsburgh as my host institution to learn the techniques for obtaining and culturing patient-derived samples. 

Besides, Pittsburgh is a great city with plenty to offer, from fantastic food and coffee spots to a variety of museums and activities. Some of my favorite experiences so far have been visiting the Andy Warhol Museum, catching a Pittsburgh Steelers game at Heinz Field, and taking a trip to Niagara Falls. 

Daniela Haas in Pittsburgh.