Mahmuda Akter
Faculty Research Mentor: Shuang Huang, Ph.D.
Research Project TBD:
Alaleh Anvar
Faculty Research Mentor: Lina Cui, Ph.D. , Co-Mentor: Weizhou Zhang, Ph.D.
My research focuses on evaluating cancer therapy responses, particularly chemotherapy and radiotherapy, using therapy-induced senescence (TIS) as a guide. I utilize a novel near-infrared beta-galactosidase probe (NIR-BG2) for real-time, noninvasive imaging of senescent cells. Additionally, my work explores how TIS influences breast cancer progression, metastasis, and immune responses through animal models and molecular analyses.
Loa Bakhsh
Faculty Research Mentor: Maria Zajac-Kaye, Ph.D.
Research Project TBD:
Yodarlynis Campaneria
Faculty Research Mentor: Elias Sayour MD, PhD
Research Project TBD:
Madison Carelock
Faculty Research Mentor: Weizhou Zhang, Ph.D.
My research focuses on determining the role of BCL-XL in breast cancer metastasis by using in vitro and in vivo models to understand the complex function of BCL-XL in cancer cells and in immune regulations. In addition, we will investigate therapeutic regimens to effectively target BCL-XL by testing different PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACS).
Siddhi Chitre
Faculty Research Mentor: Christian Jobin, Ph.D.
Campylobacter jejuni is the major risk factor for gastroenteritis over the world. Using a mouse model, Jobin’s lab recently demonstrated that C. jejuni has the potential to cause colorectal cancer. My research focuses explicitly on unraveling the mechanism underlying C. jejuni-mediated colorectal tumorigenesis.
John Figg
Faculty Research Mentor: Catherine Flores, Ph.D.
I am currently investigating cellular mechanisms of adoptive cellular therapy in models of brain cancer, a novel therapeutic platform that has demonstrated preclinical efficacy against medulloblastoma, brain stem glioma and high-grade glioma. I am interested in modulating host conditioning using radiotherapy in conjunction with adoptive cell therapy to improve outcomes for patients diagnosed with solid tumors that are refractory to conventional management.
Maria Hernandez
Faculty Research Mentor: Christian Jobin, Ph.D.
I am interested in understanding the underlying physiological mechanisms that take place when the microbiota is disrupted due to lifestyle factors like sleep deprivation. My research focuses on elucidating this interplay in the context of colorectal cancer and how this knowledge can be leveraged to improve disease progression and treatment response.
Chayil Cyan Lattimore
Faculty Research Mentor: Kristianna Fredenburg, M.D., Ph.D.
Our lab is involved in racial health disparities research aimed at better understanding the disease burden experienced by black patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). My project specifically focuses on using various computational methods to investigate the molecular pathways that are potentially modulated by the differential expression of miRNAs in black versus white patients with LSCC.
Huijia Liu
Faculty Research Mentor: Christian Jobin, Ph.D.
My research focuses on the role of gut microbiota in cancer immunotherapy. Using both in vitro and in vivo models, we have isolated immunostimulatory bacterial metabolites that enhance the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 therapy in anti-tumor treatment. I am currently investigating the mechanisms by which these bacterial metabolites influence the anti-PD-1-mediated anti-tumor response.
Yueying Liu
Faculty Research Mentor: Matthew Gentry, Ph.D.
My research focuses on understanding the role of glycogen metabolism in the development and progression of Ewing sarcoma. Specifically, I am investigating how the lysosomal enzyme GAA influences Ewing sarcoma metastasis and exploring the therapeutic potential of targeting glycogen pathways in this aggressive pediatric cancer.
Christiano Marconi
Faculty Research Mentor: Elias Sayour MD, PhD
Research Project TBD:
Natalie Martinez
Faculty Research Mentor: Scott Tibbetts, Ph.D.
Research Project TBD :
Temitope Mary Ogunmola
Faculty Research Mentor: Weizhou Zhang, Ph.D.
Research Project TBD:
Pedro Ramos
Faculty Research Mentor: Ryan Kolb, Ph.D.
My research focuses on studying the dichotomous role of the protein ANGPTL4 as both a tumor suppressor and angiogenic factor in Renal Cell Carcinoma. We are specifically interested in elucidating its role in lipid metabolism regulation and angiogenesis to better understand its function in tumor progression. The ultimate goal of this project is to identify new targets that could aid in therapies for ccRCC patients.
Kyle Scheller
Faculty Research Mentor: Lizi Wu Ph.D.
Research Project TBD:
Sarah Tatum
Faculty Research Mentor: Christian Jobin, Ph.D.
Research Project TBD:
Tanzia Tithi
Faculty Research Mentor: Weizhou Zhang, Ph.D.
My research focuses on the differential roles of mismatch repair proteins, MutSα and MutLα, in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) metastasis and immunomodulation. Using multiple mouse models alongside genetic, cellular, and multi-omics approaches, I investigate how MutSα promotes tumor progression and immune evasion, while MutLα acts as a suppressor by modulating the tumor microenvironment. My work aims to identify molecular targets to suppress BLBC progression and improve immunotherapy responses, contributing to the development of effective, targeted therapies for BLBC.
Julian Tobon
Faculty Research Mentor: Rene Opavsky Ph.D.
Research Project TBD:
Chong Zhao
Faculty Research Mentor: Elias Sayour Ph.D.
Research Project TBD:
