My research focus centers around the understanding of the tumor microenvironment with the purpose of building physiologically relevant tumor models for enhanced drug discovery with three major projects 1) Evaluation of breast cancer extracellular matrix composition. Currently, my lab has identified key ECM proteins uniquely elevated in the luminal and TN subtypes of breast cancer and is actively developing methods to produce breast tissue hydrogels from decellularized breast adipose. With these models, we will be able to define how tumor ECM facilitates cancer progression and drug resistance. 2) Mechanisms activated in breast cancer metastasis from fluids hear stress. To better understand forces impacting breast cancer drug resistance during metastasis, in collaboration with LSU, a microfluidic device is used to understand how physiologically relevant amounts of fluid shear stress alter ER+ breast cancer intracellular signaling and endocrine response.3) Stromal regulation of tumor heterogeneity. My lab currently evaluates ASCs with the aim of identifying novel mechanisms governing breast cancer drug resistance with a specific focus on differences in stromal demographics. Specifically, we evaluate how age and body mass index (BMI) alter stem cell function in the tumor microenvironment. With the ultimate goal being to identify novel mechanism of survival signals in breast cancer immune modulation and drug resistance.
Education: PhD, Tulane University Biomedical Research
MyNCBI Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/18cNBOdvOZk1wm/bibliography/public/
Selected Publications:
Keywords/Tags: tumor microenvironment, Stem cells, Breast cancer
