Robert Harrod

Robert Harrod is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Southern Methodist University, researching molecular mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis by HTLV-1 and high-risk HPVs which cause 15-20% of human cancers through deregulation of cellular growth pathways.

Education:

• Ph.D. from University of Maryland
• Postdoctoral training at National Institutes of Health and USUHS/NMC

Research Focus: His laboratory investigates how viral proteins (HTLV-1 p30II/Tax/HBZ and HPV E6) cooperate with cellular oncogenes like c-Myc, interact with transcriptional coactivators, and modulate p53-regulated pro-survival signals to drive cellular immortalization and tumorigenesis. Key discoveries include TIGAR's role in virus-infected tumor cell survival, identifying targets for novel therapeutics against aggressive malignancies like adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and cervical cancers.

Publication Trends: Analysis of recent work reveals consistent emphasis on viral manipulation of oxidative stress responses (TIGAR/p53 pathways), mitochondrial targeting mechanisms, and therapeutic interventions like oleandrin. Research bridges virology, cancer biology, and molecular pharmacology with translational focus on disrupting viral carcinogenesis.

Grants: Laboratory research is funded by the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health.

Facilities: Operates from laboratory DLSB 322 at Southern Methodist University, utilizing in vitro and in vivo xenograft models to study viral oncogenesis.