Payton Stevens

Payton Stevens is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Miami University. Their research focuses on understanding mechanisms driving pancreatic cancer metastasis, particularly the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in cancer cell motility. They investigate how individual molecules within the Wnt pathway contribute to tumor spread and aim to identify therapeutic targets to halt metastatic progression.

Stevens earned a Ph.D. in 2018 from the University of Kentucky. Their work combines molecular biology, genome editing, and cellular models to dissect signaling pathways involved in cancer progression.

Key research areas include non-canonical Wnt receptors, planar cell polarity proteins, and cancer stem cell populations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recent studies explore therapy-resistant cancer cell populations and bone-related glycan mutations.

Teaching responsibilities include Human Anatomy and Physiology, Cell Biology, and Medical Microbiology courses. Their lab employs spatial biology techniques and organoid models to study metastasis mechanisms.

Publications span over a decade, with recent focus on Wnt pathway inhibitors, non-canonical signaling in PDAC, and therapeutic strategies targeting metastasis-driving pathways. Collaborative efforts aim to translate molecular insights into clinical applications.