The Department of Urology is pleased to share that Dr. Kathryn Gessner has been selected to present her research at the 2026 Early-Career Investigators Showcase (ECIS) during the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
Held each year as part of the AUA’s flagship scientific program, the Early-Career Investigators Showcase highlights promising physician-scientists whose work is advancing the understanding of urologic disease and shaping future approaches to patient care. Dr. Gessner’s selection reflects both the scientific rigor of her research and the growing national recognition of her contributions to the field of genitourinary oncology.
Dr. Gessner will present a poster titled “Spatial profiling of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma reveals therapeutic vulnerabilities,” during the ECIS session on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 3:30–5:30 PM ET. Her work focuses on plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma (PUC), a rare and aggressive subtype of bladder cancer associated with poorer outcomes and limited treatment options. By using advanced spatial transcriptomic technologies to analyze tumor tissue at the single-cell level, the study seeks to better understand how changes within the tumor microenvironment influence disease behavior and response to therapy.
Illuminating the Biology Behind Aggressive Bladder Cancer
This research represents an important step toward identifying new therapeutic strategies for patients with challenging forms of bladder cancer. In particular, the study examines how the loss of a key cellular adhesion protein can reshape tumor biology and immune cell interactions – insights that may help guide the development of more targeted and effective treatments. Using spatial transcriptomics at single-cell resolution, the work demonstrates the interplay between E-cadherin loss, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition signaling, and immune cell activation within tumor tissue, helping to reveal potential therapeutic vulnerabilities for this aggressive cancer subtype.
Building Momentum on the International Stage
Dr. Gessner’s selection for the Early-Career Investigators Showcase builds on a period of sustained academic engagement on the national and international stage. Earlier this year, Dr. Gessner served as a plenary speaker at the 41st Annual European Association of Urology Congress, one of the largest global gatherings of urologists and researchers, where she contributed to discussions on integrated therapeutic strategies for urothelial cancer and the evolving role of patient-centered decision-making in bladder cancer care.
As investigators from across the country gather in Washington, DC, this spring, presentations like Dr. Gessner’s highlight the continued role of UNC Urology in advancing research that informs clinical care and expands the possibilities for patients with urologic cancers.