Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Epigenetics; Genomics and proteomics; Oncology; Preclinical Research; Transcriptomics; Translational Research
My research program is focused on investigating mechanistic determinants of therapeutic resistance in genitourinary cancers and developing optimal therapeutic strategies for durable clinical outcomes. My research group engages in basic and translational research in genitourinary cancers with emphasis on molecular regulation of signaling pathways in prostate and renal cancers and therapeutic strategies to overcome drug resistance mediated by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. My expertise in state-of-the-art multi-omics assays, drug screens, and development/maintenance of patient-derived xenografts models to evaluate the efficacy of novel pipeline agents in 3D organoid cultures and animal models.
My team leverages information from multi-omics assays and drug screens with established human cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models to identify optimal therapeutic strategies to manage the disease better. Throughout my research trajectory, my expertise and contributions in epigenetics, genomics, and cancer biology and meticulous evaluation of novel and optimal treatment modalities in the preclinical setting have led to several impactful publications.
Three significant projects currently ongoing in my lab include (i) Targeting drivers of the androgen receptor (AR) cistrome reprogramming associated with advanced aggressive prostate cancer, (ii) Investigating posttranslational modulations and dynamics of pro-oncogenic glucocorticoid receptor activity as a compensatory hormone nuclear receptor in prostate cancers that have developed resistance to FDA-approved standard of care, and (iii) Development and characterization of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and organoid models of prostate cancers, specifically from underrepresented populations.
My research goal is to leverage information from our preclinical studies to provide therapeutic strategies for optimal clinical outcomes. My goal as a mentor is to ensure that all mentees have the resources and an equal playing ground to thrive and achieve successful careers.