Paytin Curranknebel first remembers hearing about cancer as a 4-year-old, driving in the car with her grandma.
Her curious young mind wondered how an illness could exist without a cure. She thought, “When I’m sick and have a cold or a cough, my mom just gives me medicine and I get better.” So why was cancer different?
Curranknebel’s grandma would later develop colon cancer, becoming one of nine family members of Curranknebel’s to battle cancer in Paytin’s lifetime.
“When you’re young, you don’t know what cancer is,” she said. “I’ve always been curious, since I was young, of ‘What is cancer? Why is there not a medicine that cures it?’ Now I understand how complex it is.”
Curranknebel is a junior at Brigham Young University studying cell biology and physiology with hopes of going to medical school and becoming a doctor.
She has been interested in the medical world ever since childhood in her hometown of Valley Springs, California. Cancer research was not always her primary focus. It was after suffering the loss of several family members and her childhood best friend that Curranknebel sought a sense of community. This led her to Professor Jared Barrott’s research lab, where she was introduced to the world of cancer research.
Surrounded by the support of her husband, family, friends and principal investigator, Barrott, Curranknebel now works to understand cancer cells on an intricate level. Her current research focuses on synovial sarcoma, a type of soft-tissue bone cancer.
Her research has provided her with several unique opportunities, including the chance to present her work at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) conference in Chicago, where she shared her research with doctors, researchers, PhD candidates, and other undergraduate students.
In addition to her research with the Simmons Center for Cancer Research, Curranknebel contributes to the campus community by serving as president of the Cougs vs. Cancer club and raising funds for student-led cancer research.
“BYU offers more research exposure and opportunities to undergraduate students than most universities, which highlights how much BYU values hands-on research and student involvement,” Curranknebel said.
She has a strong personal belief in the importance of student research.
“I think (it’s) so crucial in the world that we live in today,” Curranknebel said. “Giving those funds to students and allowing them to learn more and have more resources, I think, is huge in the development of finding a cure.”
This year, the Cougs vs. Cancer club is focusing on being a “light of hope” in honor of BYU’s 150th anniversary. Curranknebel said she personally received hope through her faith while struggling with the loss of loved ones due to cancer.
“I’ve always wanted to help people heal, but I’ve also come to realize that Christ is our ultimate healer, which continues to inspire my work and perspective,” she said.
Curranknebel’s leadership in the club continues to uplift those around her.
Jacob Palmer has been a member of the Cougs vs. Cancer club for just two weeks but already feels he has learned from Paytin’s example.
“She has the ability to have high expectations and just do it in a very loving way, a very effective way as well,” Palmer said. “She’s only had a positive influence on people.”
Cole Weaver, vice president of the Cougs vs. Cancer Club, said Curranknebel leads with love and selflessness.
“She is really a good example of being devoted to her end goal, which is to do something that looks outward and doesn’t look inward,” Weaver said. “It’s not for her personal glory at all … she wants to help people.”
Curranknebel plans to continue her research on cancer throughout her education and career.
“She has worked her whole life up to this point and will keep working until she meets her goal,” Weaver said. “This is her childhood dream, to do what she is now doing.”