Research

Cancer Development and Cancer Prevention:

  • Dr. Claude Gagna: Characterizing the structure and function of alternative (e.g., Z-DNA) and multi- stranded DNAs (e.g., triplex and quadruplex nucleic acids) in normal and diseased tissues. Examining cell death [i.e., apoptosis and terminal differentiation (denucleation)], and DNA repair mechanisms influenced by alternative and multi-stranded DNA structures.

  • Dr. Bryan Gibb: DNA damage repair and Development of tools for genome engineering applications (CRISPR, Cas9).

  • Dr. Niharika Nath: Dual roles of the gaseous mediators nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide in carcinogenesis. Nitric oxide-releasing NSAIDs as agents for cancer prevention.

  • Dr. Dong Zhang: DNA damage response, DNA repair and tumorigenesis.

  • Dr. Haotian Zhao: Leptomeningeal metastasis and rare pediatric brain cancers.

  • Dr. Leonidas Salichos: Identify the presence and impact of drivers during tumor progression and cancer evolution.

Cancer Therapeutics:

  • Dr. Dong Zhang: Targeting DNA repair and the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway for cancer therapy.

  • Dr. Claude Gagna: Develop and commercialize the next generation of DNA microarrays for enhancement of Research & Development in drug discovery and development.

  • Dr. Leonidas Salichos: Study gene signatures and profiles that affect tumor immunotherapy.

Cancer Diagnosis:

Cancer Epidemiology:

Clinical Oncology:

  • Dr. Maria Plummer: Gross and micro diagnoses of cancers in cadavers used for anatomy to teach medical students.