Kinza Rizwan

Prostate Cancer Research | BCM PhD Candidate

[Salma Kaochar @Kaochar2]

Not all prostate cancers follow the same molecular playbook! 🧬

🚨🚨Excited to share our new work in @CellReports, spearheaded by graduate student @RizwanKinza 👏and medical student Sai Manikonda👏, revealing distinct genomic alterations and transcriptional programs associated with SPOP-mutant prostate cancer. Another step toward more biologically informed precision oncology! @BCMFromtheLabs

Above all, grateful to the patients who generously contributed their biospecimens to advance cancer research. 💕

A heartfelt thank you to our collaborators for their hard work, support, and invaluable feedback throughout this journey. @CCoarfa @marthamims

And a special shout-out to the often-unsung heroes of science—our reviewers! Their thoughtful and constructive feedback made this a stronger manuscript. 💕

Proud of this team and grateful for the support of @BCMDeptMedicine @bcmhouston, @PCF_Science, CDMRP PCRP and @NIH @theNCI

🔗https://t.co/I4zftcrj5W

[Salma Kaochar @Kaochar2]

I almost cried today listening to @LowderDallin thesis defense—what an incredible moment! He made the team immensely proud. Congratulations, Dr. Dallin Lowder! 🙌🎉🥳 This has been an extraordinary journey, and Dallin’s achievements speak for themselves—@PhRMAfoundation Predoctoral Fellow, @AACR & @PCF_Science Scholar-in-Training Awardee, @UrologySBUR Travel Award recipient, BCM Graduate School Dean’s Award for Excellence, and more! What a remarkable PhD journey! #ProudPI @bcmhouston @BCMDeptMedicine @BCMFromtheLabs

[Salma Kaochar @Kaochar2]

Congratulations, Dr. Collin McColl! 🎉 @MccollCollin on an outstanding thesis defense! Collin, your dedication, creativity, and trust—not just in the science, but in me as a first-time PI—have meant so much. It has been a privilege to watch you grow, push boundaries, and truly make this research your own. I am beyond proud of all you’ve accomplished. Now, take a deep breath, soak in this achievement, and enjoy sharing your knowledge and expertise with the world! 🙌🎊👏🥳 ! @bcmhouston @BCMDeptMedicine @BCMGradSchool #CancerCellBiologyProgram

[Salma Kaochar @Kaochar2]

R01 resubmission was a waste. 3 years of work. 12 percentile on first submission and now it will not get reviewed. Trying to keep chin up and move forward is daunting. This storm is perfect to wipe out early stage investigators.

[Salma Kaochar @Kaochar2]

Fellow Texans,

Did you know that our Lone Star State is at the forefront of addressing the world’s most pressing health crises?

Texas is home to the world’s largest medical center and generates $2.3 billion annually in medicine and pharmaceutical exports. We rank second nationwide in the initiation and completion of clinical trials and boast the county with the highest concentration of testing laboratories in the country.

Texas is also a leader in academic excellence—we rank first in agricultural science doctorates and second in health sciences and biomedical engineering doctorates. These remarkable achievements underscore our state’s status as a powerhouse of innovation and progress.

Last year alone, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invested $1.85 billion in Texas’ world-class research institutions—a substantial investment that supported nearly 29,500 jobs and generated approximately $5.8 billion in economic activity statewide.

Today, we face a critical threat. On Friday, February 7, 2025, the NIH issued Notice Number NOT-OD-25-068, establishing a fixed indirect cost rate of 15% across all NIH grants. This policy replaces the flexible, federally negotiated rates that have long enabled our research institutions to cover essential operational costs and adhere to stringent regulatory and high safety measures. Consequently, the consequences of these cuts are severe, threatening to undermine both our research infrastructure and our economic stability. Moreover, the immediate implementation of these drastic and devastating policy changes leaves us without the critical time or resources needed to adapt effectively.

Having dedicated nearly two decades to scientific research and education in this great state, I have witnessed firsthand how breakthroughs in research bolster not only academia but also the industries that sustain thousands of families and drive our economy. Every day, we advance scientific and medical innovations that save lives and power Texas’ prosperity. The bright minds we train at our institutions contribute not only to the progress of science but also bring critical expertise that reinforces our oil and gas industry, strengthens our agricultural sector, and supports other vital industries. Consequently, these federal cuts imperil the very foundations of Texas’ economic strength.

This is not about ideological debates over issues such as reproductive rights, science education, or climate change. It is about preserving jobs, fostering economic growth, and ensuring Texas’ future as a global leader in innovation. It is about safeguarding the economic vitality and innovative spirit that have made Texas the eighth largest economy in the world.

We must sustain the robust research funding that drives this vibrant ecosystem—one that has attracted industry leaders like Tesla, Meta, Oracle, Google, and Apple, prompting them to relocate to Texas and expand their investments.

I urge you to join me in calling on our elected representatives and lawmakers to take immediate action. Stand with the scientific community and the thousands of Texans whose futures depend on robust research funding. Our leaders must act now to block these damaging cuts.

Together, we can ensure that Texas continues to thrive as a beacon of innovation and economic strength.

@tedcruz @JohnCornyn @CPRITTexas
@chiproytx @JoaquinCastrotx @RepFletcher @DanCrenshawTX
@SylvesterTurner @RepWalle @RepPatFallon
@KHOU @mattlanza @HoustonChron @dallasnews @startelegram @ExpressNews @statesman @TMCInnovation @bcmhouston @MDAndersonNews @UTSWMedCenter @UTAustin @TAMU @PeterHotez @NIH @NIHDirector @realDonaldTrump

[Salma Kaochar @Kaochar2]

Really excited to share this new story from the lab on cirrhosis-->HCC biomarker! Thought-provoking piece of work led by grad student @hannpowell96 We are truly grateful to our wonderful esteemed collaborators @CCoarfa @SeragHashem @mescheurer @CBallantyneMD 🙏🙏@bcmhouston @BCMDeptMedicine @BCMCancerCenter @BCMFromtheLabs
Differences in Prediagnostic Serum Metabolomic and Lipidomic Profiles | JHC @DovePress https://t.co/M7v5aPVUmz

[Salma Kaochar @Kaochar2]

Proud PI moment 🚨 “Mushu moment”
Graduate student (Cancer Cell Biology program) @LowderDallin was selected for the AACR-Prostate Cancer Foundation Scholar-in-Training Award 👏👏👏@AACR @PCFnews @PCF_Science @AACR_CEO @BCMDeptMedicine @bcmhouston @nelsondl

[Jason Sheltzer @JSheltzer]

My lab at Yale can host cancer researchers displaced by the violence. Email me if we can help.

[Salma Kaochar @Kaochar2]

Had the best two days! What an absolutely phenomenal program, fabulous science, and hopefully lots of collaborations in future! Thank you @pienta_brady @sr_amend for hosting me! Thanks everyone for coming out to listen and for making the time to share your science! @CathyHandy @sfanoslab @LotanLab @Nayar_Lab @VitoRebecca1 #JunLuo @DocEShenderov @lupold_lab @Zarif_Lab @phd_yates and the grad students!

[@EstebanezLab @Eva46653369]

I am so proud of Andrea @Andrea_AlegreM to be presenting her outstanding PhD project in @spetses2023 that came out in Science Advances. Way to go Andrea! 💪🥳🚀

[Amy Engevik @AmyEngevik]

My favorite day of the week #FluorescentFriday #pathart #bioart #sciart #intestine #histoart #underthemicroscope #microscopy

[Kinza Rizwan @RizwanKinza]

Repotting our plants today. I guess we are a plant lab now
@LowderDallin @MccollCollin @DSkapura @Kaochar2

[Salma Kaochar @Kaochar2]

Our 2023 @BCM_SMART fellows (Lauren @laurenmfabre, Zohaib @ZohaibS45, and Omar) finished up their summer research program with fabulous presentations today! The future is bright! Future physician scientists @BCM_MSTP! Thanks to all the bench mentors @RizwanKinza @hannpowell96 @MccollCollin @BCMFromtheLabs @BCMDeptMedicine @bcmhouston

[Trevor Godfrey @TrevorGodfrey9]

The highlight of my week at #ASMS2023 was receiving a visit to my poster from this distinguished young gentleman. #MassSpecDad

[Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc) @AACR_CEO]

I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Bertagnolli on her nomination. The @AACR is confident that her leadership in the cancer research community will translate well to such a key position and that the NIH will remain a vital force advancing lifesaving medical breakthroughs.

[Dr. Marcy Baez @bambaez]

Happy 2B back in Houston 4 ‘23purple stride @pancan surrounded by All waging hope,but when I saw the JLA Longhorns @JaneLongFutures led by 1 of the best leaders I’ve ever known, return 4 this annual event &raise1k+ my💜exploded w/joy&pride #TeamNonna/Nana
#NgomaInspires&equips

[Kinza Rizwan @RizwanKinza]

@MeliD32 @gabizmagazine Congratulations!! The cover looks amazing. I am sure the story told is even more amazing.

[Melissa B Davis, PhD @MeliD32]

Latest spotting of the @gabizmagazine in Publix grocery store! I really wish my mama could see this!! Next to the Sports Illustrated, above the TV guide! So excited to be back home in GA!! Exciting times ahead!! #grateful #favor

[Kinza Rizwan @RizwanKinza]

@KristinAltwegg @PhRMAfoundation @LowderDallin @bcmhouston @AACR Thanks for your kind words Kristin! I am so glad to have met you through #AACR23 and to find a mentor in you.

I look forward to your advise throughout the next steps in my career.

[Kinza Rizwan @RizwanKinza]

@asmaakenawy @IUMedSchool @IUuro @IUCancerCenter @PCF_Science @AmerUrological @MoffittRadOnc @NCIPhySci @NCICancerBio @NCIGlobalHealth @NCICRCHD @KOSJ12 @AminaZoubeidi @sowalsky Congratulations!!