Biography
I am a surgeon-scientist who has undergone extensive clinical and basic research training with the long-term goal to develop a translational research laboratory focused on pancreatic cancer. I obtained my undergraduate degree in molecular biology from Princeton University and followed this up with a combined MD/PhD in microbiology/immunology from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, in Philadelphia. I am also a board-certified and practicing surgical oncologist and general surgeon with residency training from the University of Michigan and my oncology fellowship training from the University of Pittsburgh. I combine an active clinical oncologic surgical practice with translational research in the laboratory with the ultimate goal to contribute to the development of new treatment approaches for pancreatic and other gastrointestinal cancers.
Research Interests
Our group has previously defined a key role of the Polycomb protein BMI1 in early pancreatic neoplasia. I also contributed to the development of the first inducible oncogenic KRAS murine model of pancreatic cancer and served as a key part of our multidisciplinary effort to define the characteristics of the pancreatic cancer tumor immune response highlighting the role of regulatory T cells and myeloid cells in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. We published the first in-depth characterization of the human tumor immune response using specimens collected from our operating rooms and our advanced endoscopy suite.
Our group now focuses on unraveling epigenetic mechanisms of early and late pancreatic neoplasia and on mechanisms regulating the pancreatic tumor microenvironment and tumor immune response. We also study the role of the Notch signaling pathway in myeloid cell fate in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment.
Research Opportunities for Rotating Students
1. Epigenetic regulation of early pancreatic neoplasia
2. Notch signaling and myeloid cells in pancreatic cance
Other Info
Office Location
- 6217 Rogel Cancer Center
Lab Location
- 6110 Rogel Cancer Center
Administrative Assistant
- Ben Palumbo
- Phone: 734-936-7607
- E-mail: [email protected]