EMU senior showcases cancer research on global stage

One science-minded senior is showcasing EMU’s brand of academic excellence on the world stage.

Roumany Sefin, who is double majoring in medical laboratory science and business administration, with minors in biology and finance, represented EMU at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Chicago. He presented his research, titled “A Novel, Highly Sensitive, Rapid, and Cost-Effective Test for the Early Detection of Cancer,” at the meeting’s undergraduate student caucus and poster competition on April 26, alongside students from top universities around the world.

Sefin’s project focuses on developing an innovative method to aid in the early detection of cancer. His approach targets a specific protein, commonly overexpressed across various cancer types. By binding antibodies targeting this protein to a specific nanomaterial, he designed a test that detects protein concentrations in whole blood samples with high sensitivity and accuracy.

“I wanted to build something meaningful, something that might one day help change how quickly, affordably, and accurately we can detect cancer,” Sefin said.

His work, developed over five years, earned internal recognition through EMU’s Kauffman & Miller Research Award and drew support from professors and researchers at top institutions. Sefin is also a member of the American Association for Cancer Research, a distinction granted based on the strength of his work.

“This experience taught me that meaningful science doesn’t begin with perfection، it begins with persistence,” he said. “I’m proud of what’s been built so far, and I’m even more excited about what comes next.”

This article has been edited to accurately describe the project.