Michele Vitolo

Michele Vitolo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis, particularly the role of PTEN loss and microtentacle formation in tumor progression. She has developed innovative models and assays to study cytoskeletal dynamics and signaling pathways in cancer cells.

• University of Maryland Baltimore (PhD, 2004)
• Franklin and Marshall College (BS, 1995)

Dr. Vitolo's research investigates how tumor suppressor gene inactivation affects cancer cell behavior. Key areas include:

• PTEN loss-induced microtentacle formation
• Interplay between PI3K and Ras/MAPK pathways
• Calcium signaling in metastatic processes
• Epigenetic regulation of cytoskeletal networks
• Development of novel cell tracking methodologies
• Identification of therapeutic targets for metastatic disease

Her work has been recognized through the NCI Mentored Scientist Research Award. Dr. Vitolo has authored numerous publications examining:

• Cytoskeletal alterations in detached cancer cells
• Role of tubulin modifications in metastasis
• Signaling mechanisms promoting tumor cell reattachment
• Therapeutic approaches targeting microtentacle formation