First year 50-mile Rider Bryan Weselman is a dynamic MD-PhD candidate in Georgetown University’s School of Medicine, and his passion for research and medicine has been shaped by both professional ambition and personal experience. Bryan, originally from Atlanta, attended William & Mary for his undergraduate studies, where he discovered his love for neuroscience research.
As his academic path continued, he became increasingly drawn to cancer biology through various summer research experiences. “When I was applying to schools, I liked the idea of applying my developing research skills to cancer biology. I just kind of got into the idea of applying that science to cancer biology,” he shares. Georgetown’s unique MD-PhD program, coupled with Georgetown Lombardi being designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a comprehensive cancer center, proved to be the perfect home for Bryan to integrate his interests.
Currently, Bryan’s research is focused on one of the most critical questions in oncology: understanding how cancer hijacks the immune system. As a member of the team in Dr. Alejandro Villagra’s lab, Bryan delves into the complexities of the tumor microenvironment — a battlefield where cancer cells compete against the body’s own defenses.
“I’m working on understanding how cancer can hijack our immune system and in turn, using that to our advantage to better treat patients,” Bryan explains. His research is centered on classifying immune cells called macrophages to determine which ones promote tumor growth and which ones restrict it. “Right now, I’m trying to classify these cells based on those functions and then figure out ways to modulate the immune system to help us better attack the cancer,” he says. His work is deeply translational, as he collaborates closely with clinicians at MedStar Georgetown and Washington Hospital Center, allowing him access to patient tumor samples and the opportunity to directly connect his research to patient outcomes.
What makes Bryan’s journey even more poignant is his own experience with cancer. About a year and a half into medical school, Bryan received a diagnosis that would test his resilience and commitment to his goals. “I was diagnosed with cancer in late 2023, around the end of November, early December,” he shares.
Faced with the daunting challenge of balancing treatment with his studies, Bryan decided to remain at Georgetown, where he could stay close to his support network and continue progressing in the program. “I wanted to stay as close to my normal life as possible… so what better place to get treated than the place that I’m training,” he reflects. After several months of physically and mentally grueling treatment, Bryan was declared cancer-free at the end of March 2024. With determination and the support of family, friends, and the Georgetown community, Bryan was able to stay on track academically. “It was definitely a tough road… but the good thing is that I’m back on track with school. I didn’t really get behind, which was exciting.”
Bryan’s journey with cancer provided him with both a new perspective on his life and an even deeper passion for his future career in patient care. “I believe experiencing a cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy myself will make me a better physician to my patients in the future.”
Now, Bryan is channeling his experience and energy into riding in BellRinger this fall. As a first-year rider on Team Ministry of Movement, he views the ride as a celebration of his renewed strength and a testament to his ability to overcome any obstacle. “I think BellRinger is the perfect opportunity to celebrate what our bodies can do,” Bryan shares. An avid athlete who grew up swimming and participating in triathlons, Bryan’s cancer journey disrupted his active lifestyle. “I did a half marathon only a couple weeks before my diagnosis… I went from running a half marathon to being exhausted just walking down the block,” he recalls. Now, the chance to participate in BellRinger marks a triumphant return to the activities he loves. “Every single day that I can go for a run or go for a bike ride… it reminds me how grateful I am to have beaten cancer and get back to who I was before it.”
Beyond the physical challenge, Bryan is eager to connect with others who have a shared passion for the cause. The opportunity to meet fellow researchers, survivors, and others whose lives intersect with cancer is one of the aspects he’s most looking forward to. “Everybody has their different connections to the cause. It’ll be cool to meet other people doing research that is similar to mine and benefiting from it too,” Bryan shared with anticipation.
As Bryan shares the road with fellow BellRinger Riders this fall, he carries with him the lessons of his own journey — a journey redefined by perseverance, hope, and a relentless drive to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer.
