The Whelan Lab
Research in the Whelan lab is motivated by the need to detect and treat ovarian cancer in its early stages. We approach the problem of ovarian cancer detection with a diverse tool kit drawn from bioanalytical chemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and nanoscience.
Recent Whelan Group News
November 4, 2026 - Over the past year, Rebecca has helped put together a special thematic issue of Analyst to celebrate that journal's 150th anniversary. The issue, titled "Sensors for Human and Planetary Health," has now been published and includes an editorial by Rebecca and her excellent co-editors. Many thanks to the Royal Society of Chemistry and Analyst for the opportunity!
November 3, 2026 - Even more conference attendance! Rebecca attended the Ovarian Cancer Midwest Focus, held at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. It was a stimulating two days of talks and poster presentations that brought together clinicians, physician-scientists, basic scientists, trainees, and patient advocates. Many thanks to the organizers and sponsors!
October 29, 2026 - Today we hosted members of PIVOT (Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together), a patient research advocacy group based at the KU Cancer Center that provides cancer survivors, co-survivors, and researchers opportunties to connect and work together. It was a wonderful morning of sharing our lab's recent accomplishments, showing the advocates around our lab (including some fun demonstrations) and learning from them. Thank you to Hope, Tonia, and Cheryl for organizing and all the PIVOT members for sharing your questions and stories!
October 25, 2026 - More conference attendance! Rebecca, Jane, Anubhuti, and Caitlin attended the 80th Midwest Universities Analytical Chemistry Conference (MUACC) at the University of Notre Dame. Seeing chalk talks covering a wide range of topics and sharing our science with an engaged audience were highlights. Plus, Caitlin was awarded a poster prize, sponsored by Analytical Methods. Congratulations, Caitlin!
October 23, 2026 - Samson has been busy! In the past month, he attended two scientific conferences (NOBCChE in Cincinnati and SciX in Reno) and competed in the KU 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition, advancing to today's final round. Congratulations, Samson!
October 22, 2026 - Rebecca delivered a talk at the University of Vermont, as part of the Chemistry Department's seminar series. Over the course of the visit, Rebecca got to hear about some exciting and creative research and enjoy almost peak fall foliage on the beautiful Burlington, VT campus. Many thanks to Prof. Yangguan Ou (O.U.) for the invitation and providing a gracious welcome!