Her research focuses on how cancer spreads. Dr. Lawlor explained that one of the big questions she is trying to answer in the lab is, “how do cancers spread from the site of the original tumor to other parts of the body?” When a cancer has spread, or metastasized, to another part of the body such as a different organ or tissue, it becomes much harder to cure. As a result, she explained, “metastasis is the leading cause of death from cancer in all patients, in children and in adults.”

In the Lawlor lab, the “goal is to understand how cancer cells move around the body so that we can develop new therapies that specifically target this very aggressive population of cells,” she explained. “If we can develop new therapies that prevent or kill metastatic cells, we will have a major impact on patient care.” The Lawlor lab focuses on Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive type of bone and soft tissue tumor that in particular strikes adolescents and young adults. Dr. Lawlor’s team is exploring tumor heterogeneity, epigenetics, and metabolic reprogramming (rewiring the metabolic pathways of cancer cells that allows for metastasis).

A day in the life of a physician-scientist is a mix of activities – reading, writing, teaching, strategizing, fundraising, and more. Dr. Lawlor described her perfect work day as one which allows time for “thinking, reading, and writing about research.” She meets with her team one-on-one, or in small or larger group meetings to talk through their research and troubleshoot problems together. These meetings may include scientists and students making informal presentations of their in-progress research projects, or more formal lectures on completed work. In particular, Dr. Lawlor enjoys the mentorship opportunities in her job. “I love coming to work to meet with my team, especially the younger scientists and students,” she shared. “They are so committed to their projects and it is incredibly satisfying and exciting to watch them learn and develop their own questions.”

Finding funding for her research is a challenging aspect of her work. Dr. Lawlor shared that “it would be much more productive if we could spend more time thinking and discussing data with each other and less time writing grant applications.” However, “cancer research is expensive and funding for research is harder and harder to come by; this means that all of us spend more time writing proposals than we would like.” Dr. Lawlor also engages in reviewing other scientists’ work, such as articles sharing their research findings or grant proposals in search of additional funding. She explained, “peer review is a critical piece of our work in academic research.”

Another part of her job is related to her leadership roles. She explained that about twenty percent of her time is spent “with other leaders developing and executing institutional level initiatives that aim to advance child health research.” This includes her work as the Associate Director of the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Seattle Children's Hospital. Together, these leaders also “spend a lot of time thinking about and developing educational programs that are focused on supporting the next generation of pediatric physicians and scientists.”

Her advice for high school students interested in pediatric hematology-oncology? Be curious! Dr. Lawlor had this to say to students interested in her occupation: “Seek out every opportunity to learn new things – don’t limit yourself too early. Be curious and explore lots of different areas of science and research in order to find what excites you – AND be prepared for that to keep changing.” As her own story of a physician turned scientist shows, “there are always new adventures!”

Wanderlust, nature, and a good book. Outside of her busy work schedule, Dr. Lawlor loves to hike and camp, or really anything that takes her outdoors to explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Reading is also a passion, as “sitting with a good book is my idea of a great way to pass the time” she shared. Dr. Lawlor recently finished reading the novel, “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles. Dr. Lawlor also shared that “travel is really, really important to me and a source of great joy and inspiration.” With her extended family in Europe and her husband’s family in New Zealand, she reflected that “it has been hard to not be able to travel overseas during the pandemic.” A trip abroad is likely in her future.

You can follow Dr. Lawlor on Twitter @Lawlorlab where she shares her insights on “kicking childhood cancer to the curb in Seattle.”