MANSFIELD, Pa. (WENY) -- A local student is using a NASA-funded scholarship to learn more about battling pancreatic cancer.

Mansfield University field hockey senior midfielder and cell and molecular biology student Caitlin Beauduy received a $4,000 research scholarship from the NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium.

According to the university, this funding supports Beauduy's continued investigation into the effect of T cells on solid pancreas tumors.

"With the financial support that the NASA scholarship provides, we can investigate the impact of the presence of T cells, a main component of our immune system, on the development of pancreatic tumors" Beauduy said. "The role of T cells in this process is not well understood, but it is clear that they do significantly influence the tumors' physical appearance and response to certain therapies."

She hopes this work will help develop a deeper understanding of what happens on a molecular level and, in turn, yield greater success with cancer treatments in different stages.

Beauduy's research project will be completed under the advisement of Dr. Kristen Long, Assistant Professor of Biology at Mansfield University.