Karuna Ganesh

Karuna Ganesh, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine's Graduate School of Medical Sciences and an Assistant Member and Medical Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). She leads the Karuna Ganesh Lab within the Molecular Pharmacology Program, focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer metastasis, particularly in colorectal cancer. Her research integrates patient-derived organoid models, mouse models, and advanced genomic approaches to investigate metastasis stem cells (MetSCs) that drive therapy resistance and lethality in metastatic disease.

Dr. Ganesh received her MD and PhD from the University of Cambridge (UK) through a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Her educational background includes specialized training in both clinical medicine and basic cancer research, positioning her as a physician-scientist uniquely qualified to bridge laboratory discoveries with clinical applications.

Dr. Ganesh's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer metastasis, with particular emphasis on metastasis stem cells (MetSCs) that drive therapy resistance and lethality in metastatic cancer. Her lab investigates how tumor invasion induces regenerative plasticity, the role of stromal cells in promoting MetSC plasticity, and key signaling nodes that could be targeted therapeutically. Using cutting-edge patient-derived organoid and mouse models of colorectal cancer, her team employs transcriptomic, epigenomic, and single-cell approaches to uncover novel therapeutic vulnerabilities in metastatic disease. Her work has significant implications for developing more effective treatments for patients with advanced cancer.

Analysis of Dr. Ganesh's recent publications reveals a strong focus on cellular plasticity in cancer metastasis, particularly in colorectal cancer. Her research spans multiple disciplines including molecular oncology, cancer stem cell biology, tumor microenvironment interactions, and translational applications of organoid technology. A recurring theme is the investigation of how cancer cells acquire regenerative properties during metastasis, with implications for therapy resistance. Her work increasingly incorporates advanced genomic and epigenomic approaches to identify druggable targets in metastatic disease.

• V Foundation Translational Award (2024)
• Metastasis Research Society Sue Eccles Early Career Investigator Award (2024)
• HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar Finalist (2023)
• Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Cancer Research (2022)
• NIH/NCI R37 MERIT Award (2022)
• HHMI Gilliam Scholar Award (2022)
• Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award (2019)

Dr. Ganesh mentors a diverse team of students and postdoctoral fellows, including MD/PhD candidates, medical oncology fellows, and research scientists. Her lab has secured significant funding from the NIH, including an R37 MERIT Award and a K08 Clinician Scientist Career Development Award, as well as support from the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and various cancer-focused organizations. She collaborates extensively with clinicians at MSKCC to translate basic research findings into potential therapeutic strategies for patients with metastatic cancer.

The Karuna Ganesh Lab operates within the Molecular Pharmacology Program at MSKCC and maintains strong affiliations with the Center for Stem Cell Biology, The Alan and Sandra Gerry Metastasis and Tumor Ecosystems Center, and the Center for Epigenetics Research. Her team utilizes advanced patient-derived organoid models, mouse models of colorectal cancer, and cutting-edge genomic technologies to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of cancer metastasis. The lab fosters a collaborative environment that bridges basic science with clinical applications, working closely with oncologists and surgeons at MSKCC to ensure research relevance to patient care.