Ivy Blog

“GBM is a disease that is very, very aggressive and very difficult for patients and their families to deal with,...

As an active young mom and business owner, Andy was surprised to learn she had a heart arrhythmia called AFib. After having a cardiac ablation to treat the AFib, she started to experience a migraine for the first time and was quickly taken in for a brain scan to rule out a stroke. That’s when doctors made a shocking discovery that would turn her world upside down.

As a research technician, Jennifer Molloy plays a fundamental role in the Ivy Center's pharmacodynamic lab. With her background in biological sciences and experience as a research intern at the University of Arizona, Jen assists in the facilitation of collection and analysis of tissue for our Phase 0 clinical trials. Jen's passion for science and research makes her a invaluable asset for the Ivy Center team.

World-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Robert F. Spetzler, recalls his sister-in-law's diagnosis with glioblastoma and the personal connections that guided him through his career.

The day after his graduation from San Diego State University, Nick was diagnosed with a recurrence of his malignant meningioma. Nick knew he wasn’t going to have a lot of options, but the Ivy Center had just opened a Phase 0 clinical trial for this exact indication.

Artak Tovmasyan, PharmD, PhD, joined our team two years ago from Duke University with an extensive background in pharmaceutical chemistry making him a fierce asset to the Ivy Center's Phase 0 clinical trials program. As the director of the Ivy Center's Pharmacokinetics core, Dr. Tovmasyan is leading his laboratory in providing data to enable the most efficient treatment regimens for brain tumor patients.

When Patricia's glioblastoma came back after her first surgery, both she and her husband knew it was time to start looking at alternative treatment options. After extensive research, they discovered the hope they were looking for was actually right in their backyard at the Ivy Center in Phoenix.

As a neurosurgical resident, Charuta is paving the way for women in her field. At the age of seven, Charuta’s mother was diagnosed with a glioma. Since that moment, Charuta has committed her life to helping others who have been diagnosed with brain cancer.

For Terra, a research nurse at the Ivy Center, brain cancer became all too personal after learning that her brother-in-law was diagnosed with glioblastoma.

Brain cancer can impact the very fabric of one's existence, the role of caregiver to this patient population can be isolating and unimaginably difficult. In honor of National #FamilyCaregiversMonth, we're sharing the perspectives and advice of caregivers to give a voice to the many who have stepped into this selfless and sometimes forgotten role