GARRETT MCLAUGHLIN GAMEWINNER! ๐คฏ
The golden goal gives No. 8 SMU the 1-0 win over Coastal Carolina as well as a spot in the Round of 16.
#NCAASoccer | @smusoccerm
Dakota Okwuone, Cancer Biology graduate student, recently defended his PhD dissertation with honors (March 18th, 2026) and was awarded the Karen and Kelly Gregg Award for outstanding graduate student research in cancer. Mary Needham from KU Endowment presented him with the certificate and a box of Lamar's Donuts. Congratulations @dokwuone !
January Spotlight: Dakota Okwuone-Graduate Student
Dakota is an MD-PhD student in the 4th year of his PhD (G4-P6). Born and raised in Olathe, KS, he is the child of Nigerian immigrants. He graduated from Southern Methodist University, earning degrees in Biological Sciences, Health and Society, and Political Science, while also competing in NCAA men's soccer. As an undergraduate in the lab of Dr. Pia Vogel, he explored ways of biochemically mitigating multidrug resistance in cancer.
During his PhD in the lab of Dr. Greg Gan, Dakota has focused on uncovering novel mechanisms of head and neck cancer progression regulated by MK2, a protein that is part of an important inflammatory pathway. His goal is to understand how the protein controls both the movement of cancer cells and the immune environment of head and neck tumors. Long-term, he hopes to become a physician-scientist, treating patients in the clinic as a medical oncologist while also running a lab that aims to identify better therapeutic targets to prevent cancer progression and metastasis. He hopes to play a role in revolutionizing cancer care both locally and globally.
Dakota has served as the President of the KUMC Cancer Biology Student Society, and he is currently a trainee representative on the KU Cancer Center Education and Training Steering Committee.
Outside of the school, Dakota enjoys being out and about with friends, being physically active, traveling, listening to music, and binging TV shows. Despite the copious hours in the lab, he's proud of the balance he has been able to strike between schoolwork and a vibrant life outside of academics, whether it's playing semi-professional soccer or indulging in financially unwise social escapades.
Excited to share my first (co-)first author original research publication! โMK2 promotes p16 negative head and neck cancer migration, invasion, and metastasisโ
https://t.co/8i6p2ouorb
Tonight, we had the privilege of hosting a holiday dinner for over 30 patients and their families at @HopeLodgeKC. This amazing program provides free lodging to those undergoing cancer treatment in the KC area. Grateful to spread some holiday cheer!