Research, Teaching and Service

Research and funding:

• • NIH/NCI: 1R01CA201092 (July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2021) - OPTIMIZING TARGETED BREAST CANCER THERAPY BY MATHEMATICAL MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES:Cancer therapies that target specific proteins or reactions within cancer cells have a great advantage over untargeted chemotherapy in terms of reduced side effects. But long-term use of targeted therapies can often result in the remaining cancer cells becoming resistant to the therapy. We will use experimentally-derived mathematical models to optimize the sequencing and timing of multiple targeted therapies so as to maximize the killing of cancer cells while reducing toxicity to normal cells and avoiding the onset of resistance.

  • Sponsored research project, Calithera Biosciences (May 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017) - TARGETING GLUTAMINE METABOLISM IN ENDOCRINE RESISTANT BREAST CANCER: In this project, we will use endocrine sensitive and resistant breast cancer cell models and tumors to investigate the role of glutamine metabolism in development of antiestrogen resistance in breast cancer.

Teaching and mentoring activities:

• • TBIO-510: Biochemistry for Cancer Research (Director and Lecturer, 2012-present)

  • TBIO-705: Cancer Research Techniques (Co-director, 2011-present)

  • BCHB-535: Programmed Cell Death (Guest Lecturer, 2013-present)

  • BCHB-592: Cancer Bioinformatics (Guest Lecturer, 2014-present)

  • BCHB-596: Applications of Metabolomics in Cancer Research (Guest Lecturer, 2017-present)

  • MS TBIO Student Mentoring

  • Summer Volunteer Student Mentoring

Service activities:

• • Director, Master of Science Program in Tumor Biology (MS TBIO) (2011-present)

  • Founding Member and Scientific Advisor, Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates (GBCA) (2011-present)

  • Lombardi Faculty Liaison Committee (chair, 2016-present)

  • Lombardi Bio-specimen Use Committee (member, 2016-present)

  • GUMC Faculty Development Committee (member, 2016-present)

  • Tumor Biology Oversight Committee (member, 2016-present)

  • Education Advisory Committee (member, 2011-present)