About us

Silvia Balbo, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

I got my MS and Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, at the University of Torino, in Torino, Italy after conducting part of my doctoral work at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, in Belgium. Immediately after defending my thesis, I joined as a Post-doctoral fellow at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France. I then moved to work at the Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota where in 2014 I joined the faculty of the Division of Environmental Health Sciences in the School of Public Health.

I have a passion for understanding how chemicals impact our health through their reactions to cellular targets. I am convinced that the more we learn about how these interactions happen, the more we can harness them when they result in beneficial effects or interfere with them before they exert detrimental effects.

Click here to learn more about my research, teaching, and news

Peter W. Villalta, Ph.D.

Collaborator

I received my Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Minnesota and have worked in the Masonic Cancer Center since 1999. I am currently the Director of the Analytical Biochemistry Shared Resource and serve as an NCI Research Specialist in support of the Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program of the Masonic Cancer Center. I collaborate extensively with Silvia and her research group.

My major research interest is in the development of methodologies for screening and characterizing the DNA modifications that result from exposures to xenobiotics and endogenous processes.

Click here to visit the Masonic Cancer Center Analytical Biochemistry Facility

Balbo Lab Members

Laura Maertens, PhD

Research Project Manager

Hi! I received my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of Minnesota. In 2016, I began managing and coordinating human studies investigating the DNA damaging effects of alcohol and tobacco products. I currently manage the setup, organization, and coordination of clinical studies that are trying to understand how different exposures can lead to cancer. Feel free to ask me about ongoing clinical research studies and anything related to cooking.

Contact: maert006@umn.edu

Andrew Floeder

Ph.D. Candidate, B.S.

Hi! I received a B.S. in Microbiology from the UMN-TC in 2019. Currently, I'm studying at the UMN School of Public Health in the Environmental Health Sciences division, in the Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology program. I am interested in environmental exposures and developing new surveillance methods as tools to monitor occupational safety. When I'm out of the lab, I enjoy bottomless chips at Jefe, reading a new book, and run club. Feel free to ask me about Norwegian Atlantic cod!

Contact: floed013@umn.edu

Foster Jacobs

Ph.D. Candidate, B.S.

Hi! I received a B.S. in Biochemistry from the U of M in 2019. Since then I have been working as a research assistant in the lab, and currently, I am sixth-year student in the UMN School of Public Health's Division of Environmental Health Sciences, program of Environmental Toxicology. I am interested in studying biomarkers of environmental pollutants and developing methods to better assess their human health risk. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy biking, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Feel free to ask me about my favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities!

Contact: jaco1924@umn.edu

Michael Sausen

Ph.D. Candidate, B.S.

Hi! I received a B.S. in Chemistry from the U of M in 2021. Currently, I am studying Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics through the UMN Medical School. I am interested in studying biomarkers and understanding the variance seen between patients that receive the same therapy. When I am not in lab, I enjoy watching sports, hanging out with friends, staying active, and spending time outdoors. Feel free to ask me about anything soccer!

Contact: sause023@umn.edu

Dylan Mckeon

Researcher, M.S.

Hi! I received my M.S. in Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with Dr. Silvia Balbo. My thesis was focused on detecting urinary mercapturic acids, which act as biomarkers for exposure to harmful electrophiles, specifically from smoking cigarettes. I am now working as a researcher in the Balbo lab, working on multiple projects related to DNA adductomics. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy cycling, longboarding, camping, and staying in to watch movies. Feel free to ask me about cool places to go camping in Wisconsin!

Contact: mckeo093@umn.edu

Jamie Enright

Researcher, B.S.

Hi! I received my B.S. in Biology from Hamline University in 2024. I am currently a researcher in the Balbo lab, working on a variety of projects related to DNA adductomics. I am interested in understanding how DNA adductomics can help to predict patient outcomes during treatment. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy baking, spending time outdoors, and watching TV shows. Feel free to ask me about my favorite TV shows.

Contact: enrig113@umn.edu

Former Balbo Research Group Members:

Matthew Luedtke, Ph.D. (researcher)
Kevin Murray, Ph.D. (graduate student)
Chiara Lecchi, M.S. (researcher)
Valeria Guidolin, Ph.D. (graduate student)
Romel Dator, Ph.D. (research associate)
Alessia Stornetta, Ph.D. (research associate)
Zach Bennehoff (undergraduate student)
Morwena Jane Solivio, Ph.D. (postdoc)
Courtney Kimmell (undergraduate student)
Kristine Walters (visiting student)
Harry Rothberg (undergraduate student)
Marco Buscemi, M.S. (visiting student)
Andrea Carra, Ph.D. (postdoc)

Page updated

Report abuse