On June 23, 2025, Giselle López, MD, PhD, presented a talk at the International Conference on Brain Tumor Research and Therapy (ICBTRT), at Lake Toya in Hokkaido, Japan. In it, titled "Refining Diagnostic and Molecular Understanding of Oligodendrogliomas," she discussed recent research identifying new biomarkers and updated tools for identifying this rare type of brain tumor.
Oligodendrogliomas are diagnosed in approximately 1,000 patients a year in the United States. Attempts to identify biomarkers to predict which tumors will behave most aggressively have often yielded mixed results, due to their rarity. Using the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center's Biorepository, López was able to characterize over 250 oligodendrogliomas to identify biomarkers that predict more aggressive tumors. Additionally, this unique resource has been used to identify new therapeutic targets to slow the growth of these tumors.
ICBTRT is an annual conference bringing together researchers, clinicians, and patients to examine the latest advancements and research in the field. The conference covers topics such as diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of brain tumors. The conference chair was Koichi Ichimura, MD, PhD, of Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine Department of Pathology.
López earned her MD and PhD degrees from Duke and has been an integral member of Duke Pathology since 2018. Her lab is focused on searching for cures for brain tumors.
In 2024, she was accepted into the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Future Leaders Development Program.
In October 2023, she received the Spark Award from the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) in recognition of her strong leadership skills and for her vocal advocacy for diversity and inclusive scientific practices. Read more about the award and advocacy work here.
In July 2023, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) named López to its prestigious ASCP 2023 40 Under Forty list. The list includes 40 high-achieving pathologists, pathology residents, and medical laboratory professionals under age 40 who are being honored for professional excellence. Read more about that honor, and watch a short video about her work here.