Justin D. Lathia

Justin D. Lathia is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine. He serves as Co-Leader of the Molecular Oncology Program at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and Co-Director of the Brain Tumor Research and Therapeutic Development Center. His research focuses on cancer stem cells in malignant brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma, examining tumor microenvironment interactions and therapeutic development.

Education:

• B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University (2003)
• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the NIH-Cambridge Graduate Partnership Program (2008)
• Postdoctoral training at Duke University and the Cleveland Clinic

Research Interests:

Dr. Lathia investigates cancer stem cell biology and their interactions with the tumor microenvironment. He explores mechanisms of immune evasion, mitochondrial transfer in glioblastoma, and translational approaches to target cancer stem cells. His work bridges basic science and clinical trials, including a Phase 1 trial targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells.

Articles & Trends:

Recent publications (2023–2024) emphasize mitochondrial biology in tumor progression, immunotherapy resistance mechanisms, and epigenetic targets in glioblastoma. Key themes include cell-cell communication, immune checkpoint dynamics, and vascular niche regulation.

Grants & Awards:

Supported by NIH grants, foundation funding, and peer review roles at Cancer Research and Neuro-Oncology. Organized international cancer stem cell conferences (2014, 2016, 2018).

Labs & Collaborations:

Leads a translational lab at the Lerner Research Institute, collaborating with clinical teams on preclinical models and therapeutic strategies for brain tumors.