Inside the Mind of Brain Cancer: Modeling Glioblastoma with Dr. Frank Furnari

In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Frank Furnari, professor of medicine at UC San Diego and co-director of the Brain Tumor Program at the Sanford Stem Cell Institute. Together, they explore one of the most aggressive and complex cancers known to medicine—glioblastoma—and the innovative tools his team is developing to study and treat it.

🔬 Topics Covered:

• Why glioblastoma is so resistant to treatment—and what makes it unique
• The role of tumor heterogeneity and how “chameleon-like” cancer cells adapt
• How Dr. Furnari’s lab uses CRISPR-edited stem cells and “cancer avatars” to model brain tumors in mice and organoids
• Promising breakthroughs in radiation sensitization and tumor state manipulation
• CAR-T cells therapies, BRD2 inhibitors, and the future of personalized brain cancer vaccines
• The emerging field of cancer neuroscience—and how neuron-tumor interactions may hold new clues to treatment
• The cost and complexity of running a modern lab and the growing need for diversified funding
• Why partnerships across disciplines (immunology, bioengineering, AI, bioinformatics) are essential for accelerating breakthroughs

💡 Dr. Furnari also reflects on his career beginnings, his leadership philosophy, and what excites him most about the future of brain cancer research.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Frank Furnari:

• Website: Search “Furnari Lab UCSD” (not a real link – adjust as needed)
• Email: [e-mail]
• LinkedIn: Frank Furnari (link placeholder)
• Twitter/X: @FurnariLab

🧠 May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month
 Join the conversation, share this episode, and help raise awareness about the urgent need for brain cancer research and funding.

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.