M. Sharon Stack

M. Sharon Stack is the Ann F. Dunne and Elizabeth Riley Director of the Harper Cancer Research Institute at the University of Notre Dame and holds the Kleiderer-Pezold Professorship in Chemistry and Biochemistry. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Louisville, followed by postdoctoral training at Duke University Medical Center. Previously, she served as a tenured Professor at Northwestern University and held leadership roles in cancer research programs, including the RHLCCC. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of metastasis in ovarian and oral cancers, particularly the interplay between tumor cells and their microenvironment.

Education & Professional Roles:

• PhD in Biochemistry, University of Louisville
• Postdoctoral Training: Duke University Medical Center
• NIH/NCI Tumor Progression and Metastasis Study Section member (2019-2025)
• Editorial Board of Cancer Research since 2001

Research Interests:

Stack’s work investigates how tumor cells integrate microenvironmental cues to drive metastasis. Key themes include:

• Role of collagen and extracellular matrix in metastasis
• Impact of aging, obesity, and gender on tumor progression
• Mechanisms of immune evasion and therapeutic resistance
• Nanoparticle-based drug delivery strategies

Awards:

• Fulbright Fellow (1982)
• AAAS Fellow (2012)

Grants & Labs:

Her lab has been continuously NIH/NCI-funded since 1989. Research spans experimental models, proteomics, and clinical translation, including collaboration with imaging and nanotechnology experts.

Labs & Teams:

Leads interdisciplinary teams at the Harper Cancer Research Institute, integrating cancer biology, biochemistry, and translational research to address metastatic disease challenges.