John Kenneth Cowell

John Kenneth Cowell is a Professor at the Georgia Cancer Center and holds joint appointments in the Department of Pathology, Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University. His research focuses on molecular genetic mechanisms driving cancer development and progression, with emphasis on acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and metastasis.

Educational background includes a BS (1974), PhD (1979), and DS (1993), all in Genetics from the University of Sheffield.

Cowell's research centers on two primary areas: 1) WASF3 (WAVE3) gene function in metastasis, where he discovered its critical role in actin cytoskeleton reorganization and developed stapled peptides targeting WASF3-NCKAP1/CYFIP1 interactions to suppress metastasis; 2) FGFR1-driven leukemias, where he identified chimeric FGFR1 kinases in myeloproliferative disorders progressing to AML, establishing syngeneic mouse models and human cell models to study disease mechanisms and therapeutic responses to FGFR1 inhibitors.

Analysis of his 2017-2025 publications reveals consistent focus on FGFR1 signaling pathways in leukemia progression and WASF3-mediated metastasis mechanisms, with recent work (2025) highlighting immune suppression roles of macrophages in leukemia microenvironments and predictive gene signatures for AML outcomes.

Scientific honors include:

• Doctor of Science (DSc)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath)

While specific grant details aren't provided, his research program demonstrates sustained funding for cancer genetics studies through active development of therapeutic approaches targeting WASF3 and FGFR1. Cowell leads a multidisciplinary team utilizing genomics, proteomics, and animal modeling techniques to investigate cancer pathogenesis.

The Cowell Lab operates from the M. Bert Storey Research Building at Augusta University's Health Sciences Campus, integrating basic science with translational applications to develop targeted therapies for AML and metastatic cancers.