Bailey Bye

Professional Background

I am from Wichita, KS and received my bachelor’s degree in microbiology with a minor in music from Kansas State University. Prior to my graduate studies, I became interested in how cells change and communicate with their environment under stress. This led me to Dr. Michael VanSaun’s laboratory, which studies intercellular signaling in pancreatic cancer, specifically in the context of obesity. My current research work focuses on cellular plasticity and crosstalk related to pancreatic cancer metastasis. Since pancreatic cancer has a 5 year overall survival rate of only 12%, I hope my research contributes to our collective knowledge of the disease’s progression, the understanding of which presents a significant clinical need.

Outside of the lab, I’m an active member of community music groups in the KC area, and also enjoy spending my free time making art, playing video games, and managing whatever chaos my cat is causing nearby.