Laura was diagnosed with stage 4 lobular breast cancer in 2012. While initial treatments included mastectomy, radiation and anti-hormonal therapy, she has done extremely well on targeted therapy with an mTOR inhibitor for the past two years. She was employed as a molecular biologist performing HIV research until September 2015, when her position was downsized; she is actively seeking another position. Laura is a member of the Breast Cancer Research Advocacy Network (bcRAN) and recently agreed to serve as a patient advocate on a research grant.