Research Partners

The role of oncogenes and tumor suppressor proteins in the induction and maintenance of gentinourinary and other cancers, including malignancies of the GI track and brain.

Cell adhesion, chemoprevention, and the development of anti-cancer drugs

Researches how environmental stresses can cause normal cells to become cancerous—and developing ways to stop this from occurring or to exploit differences between normal and malignant cells therapeutically

Identification of different tumor phenotypes and tumor microenvironments that could be used to develop improved methods; for early cancer detection, diagnosis, and prognostication of gastrointestinal peritoneal metastasis

Analyzing the use of near-infrared fluorescent technology to look for microscopic cancer during surgery to aid in the complete removal of disease. He is also analyzing the molecular profile of unique tumors in the abdomen to understand how treatment can be personalized for each patient.

FA-BRCA mutant tumors, especially CCA; pediatric and young adult cancers; molecular vulnerabilities of somatically-mutant FA-BRCA tumors; Basic biology of DNA repair

Research areas of cancer biology and developmental therapeutics include: Raf-1/Erk signaling; integrins; tumor growth and metastasis; mitochondrial pathway of cell death; ER stress response; radiation resistance and chemoresistance; systemic delivery of antisense and siRNA containing liposomal nanoparticles; breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers

Cancer evolution, genomics, phylogenetics, experimental evolution

Novel drug development for pancreatic cancer and well as other gastrointestinal malignancies

Clinical trial design, AI, Digital path, precision medicine.

Pancreatic Cancer Models for Drug Development

Oncology & Pharmacology

Wnt and SHH signaling pathways, WT and engineered colonoids, CRC flank models, developing breeding colony for apc;kras;p53 GEM, and developing orthotopic (rectal) CRC model.

The role of repair of DNA damage, induced by oxidative stress in the prevention of cancer, neurological disorders and aging

GEMMs, Organoids (2D/3D systems), Organoid Transplantion Model, BRAF-V600E, SMAD4/TGFB, WNT

Research program focusing on genetics and epigenetics in human development and disease

Research focus is the development of novel radiation therapy techniques and reduction in treatment-related side effects

New therapeutic approaches that mobilize the patient’s immune system to fight cancer using monoclonal antibodies

Research focus on dissecting how the crosstalk between the Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway and other cancer pathways contributes to the initiation and progression of various types of human cancers such as pancreatic, kidney, liver and lung cancers and Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2)

Use of molecular cytogenetics in human genetic conditions and breast cancer subtypes. Recent work has focused on the microbiome and response to therapy in breast and liver cancer

Molecular epidemiology and cancer prevention and control in minorities and underserved populations

Quality of life and symptom management of cancer patients and survivors

Cancer survivorship and translational genomics, with a particular emphasis on community engagement and addressing health disparities

Developing strategies to achieve racial, ethnic and gender equity in health

Research on colon polyps, serrated colon polyps, hereditary gastrointestinal cancer syndromes, including Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, juvenile polyposis syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, serrated polyposis syndrome, hamartomatous polyposis syndromes, hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, gastrointestinal cancer genetics, and the prevention of colon cancer.

Environmental and genetic causes, and especially on the roles that genetics play in mediating the risks from environmental chemical exposures. His research spans liver, bladder, and lung cancer in relation to chronic infections such as HCV, and environmental factors such as pesticides and secondhand smoke.