Jyoti R. Misra

Jyoti R. Misra, Ph.D., serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences at Stony Brook University. Her research centers on the Hippo signaling pathway's dual role in embryonic organ size regulation and cancer pathogenesis, utilizing Drosophila melanogaster as a primary model system for developmental studies while investigating YAP/TAZ dysregulation across multiple human malignancies.

Her work examines how cell adhesion molecules Dachsous and Fat regulate Hippo-mediated growth control during development, and how oncogenic YAP/TAZ coactivators drive proliferation, metastasis, and therapy resistance in cancers including mesothelioma, uveal melanoma, and carcinomas of the lung, liver, breast, and thyroid. The Misra Lab employs integrated approaches spanning computational chemistry, chemical biology, and cell biology to develop targeted inhibitors against YAP activity, with recent emphasis on TEAD transcription factors and protein degradation strategies.

Analysis of her publication record (2008-2024) reveals an evolving trajectory from foundational Drosophila genetics toward translational cancer therapeutics. Key themes include structural characterization of pathway components, assay development for inhibitor screening, and innovative strategies targeting TEAD palmitoylation and YAP-TEAD interactions. This progression demonstrates consistent focus on Hippo pathway mechanics with increasing clinical relevance in oncology.

Scientific Awards: No awards were documented in the provided materials.

Research is supported by National Institutes of Health funding. While specific advisees aren't listed, the Misra Lab maintains active investigations bridging developmental biology and cancer pharmacology, with particular emphasis on overcoming chemo- and immunotherapy resistance through YAP pathway modulation.

The laboratory operates within Stony Brook's Department of Pharmacological Sciences, maintaining dual research tracks in Drosophila-based developmental genetics and mammalian cancer models, with current efforts concentrated on small-molecule degraders and allosteric modulators for clinical translation.