Kian Kani

Kian Kani serves as an Assistant Professor of Research Medicine at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine within the Department of Medicine. His research program focuses on revolutionizing cancer classification and treatment through biomarker discovery and proteomic analysis.

Dr. Kani's research interests center on reclassifying tumors based on signaling pathways rather than organ sites, enabling targeted therapies. His laboratory employs advanced proteomic techniques to investigate androgen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor signaling axes across multiple cancer types including prostate, lung, breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. The group's work aims to develop diagnostic tools that empower oncologists to implement personalized medicine approaches and improve patient outcomes.

His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to biomarker discovery, proteomic methodology, and therapeutic resistance mechanisms, with research spanning molecular targeting, tumor microenvironment interactions, and computational modeling of protein kinetics. Recent work emphasizes clinical translation of biomarkers for monitoring therapy response and understanding metastatic progression.

• Ellis Island Honor Society: Medals of Honor (2023)
• University of Chicago: Outstanding Educator (2022)
• European Molecular Biology Organization: Oral Presentation Award (2009)
• Human Proteome Organization: Outstanding Poster Award (2008)
• UCLA Department of Biological Chemistry: David Sigman Award (2003)
• University of Hartford: Summa Cum Laude (1996)
• University of Hartford: Gengras Academic Scholarship (1994)
• Thomas Cook Rewards and Recognition Award (1992)

Dr. Kani's research program receives funding for proteomic biomarker development and therapeutic targeting studies. His work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, particularly in identifying resistance pathways to targeted therapies. The laboratory maintains collaborations with medical oncology departments to validate biomarkers in clinical settings and develop diagnostic tools for personalized treatment selection.

The Kani research group operates within USC's cancer research ecosystem, utilizing core facilities for proteomic analysis and maintaining connections with clinical oncology teams for translational validation studies. Current projects focus on developing blood-based biomarkers for therapy monitoring and investigating mechanisms of neuroendocrine differentiation in advanced prostate cancer.