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Emanuel Petricoin is a Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM) at George Mason University's School of Systems Biology, a position held since 2005 with prior leadership at the FDA-NCI Clinical Proteomics Program (1993-2005). His academic affiliation spans proteomics, molecular medicine, and precision oncology within GMU's research ecosystem. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Maryland, College Park (1990) Dr. Petricoin pioneers clinical proteomics for personalized therapy and biomarker discovery, with seminal work in cancer signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment analysis, and diagnostic assay development. His research integrates proteogenomics, phosphoproteomics, and functional protein analysis to address therapeutic resistance in breast and pancreatic cancers. As a translational scientist, he bridges laboratory innovation with clinical implementation through FDA-regulated platforms. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in proteogenomic tumor characterization, KRAS/HER2 pathway dynamics, and biomarker-guided immunotherapy. Key trends include spatial proteomics of tumor heterogeneity, extracellular vesicle-mediated signaling, and quantitative assessment of drug targets for precision oncology decision-making. The work consistently emphasizes clinical applicability through CLIA-certified assays and molecular tumor boards. His scientific recognition includes: University Professorship at George Mason University NIH Director’s Award FDA Distinguished Scientist Award 2015 Innovator of the Year Award GAP50 Top Virginia Entrepreneurs Nifty 50 Award American Society of Cytopathology Basic Research Award Roche Diagnostics/CLAS Distinguished Scientist Award Harvard University Leading Edge Award Dr. Petricoin drives research commercialization as co-founder of four biotech firms (Theranostics Health, Ceres Nanosciences, C-4 Diagnostics, Perthera) and co-inventor of 40+ patents. His editorial leadership spans Proteomics, Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, and other high-impact journals. He actively shapes national initiatives as a HUPO founding member and Virginia Health Research Biosciences Corporation board representative. The CAPMM under his co-direction serves as a national hub for clinical proteomics, specializing in reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) technology, laser capture microdissection, and biomarker validation for direct patient care applications. The center integrates multi-omic data to advance personalized cancer therapy through industry partnerships and clinical trial support.

• Proteomics
• Molecular Medicine
• Biomarker Discovery
• +3 more

Edward Stites, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Yale School of Medicine. His interdisciplinary research integrates mathematical modeling, computational biology, and experimental methods to study cancer biology, with a focus on RAS protein signaling networks and precision oncology. Education: BS in Mathematics (University of Kentucky, 1998) PhD in Biophysics (University of Virginia, 2008) MD (University of Virginia, 2010) Clinical Pathology Residency (Washington University School of Medicine, 2015) Postdoctoral Fellowship (Translational Genomics Research Institute, 2012) Dr. Stites leads the Stites Lab, which develops computational models to investigate challenging problems in cancer biology. Their primary research themes include: Mathematical modeling of oncogenic signaling pathways (RAS, RAF, GPCR) Computational analysis of cancer mutation frequencies and therapeutic vulnerabilities Systems biology approaches to identify biomarkers for targeted therapies Integrative genomic analyses of tumor evolution and drug resistance His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on RAS pathway biology, spanning mechanistic studies of protein conformations to population-level genomic analyses. Research trends include development of combination therapies, computational mutagenesis techniques, and translational applications in precision oncology. Scientific Awards: NIH Director's New Innovator Award (DP2, 2020) DoD Career Development Award (2020) American Lung Association Discovery Award (2020) Melanoma Research Alliance Young Investigator Award (2018) NCI Career Development Award (2017) Randy Pausch Scholar Award (2012) The Stites Lab maintains active collaborations across Yale Cancer Center and receives funding from multiple NIH grants. Current projects focus on developing mathematical frameworks to predict therapeutic responses in RAS-driven cancers and improving cost-effectiveness of precision medicine approaches.

• Cancer Biology
• Systems Biology
• Computational Biology
• +4 more

Dr. Seth Parker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine . Based at BC Children’s Hospital, his research group deciphers how nutrient transporters and metabolic reprogramming drive diseases such as cancer, with a special focus on childhood leukemia. He combines biochemical assays, molecular biology, and cutting-edge mass-spectrometry platforms to reveal druggable metabolic vulnerabilities. Research Interests Transporter Biology: Discovery and functional characterization of solute carrier (SLC) transporters that dictate nutrient flux in diseased cells. Compartmentalized Metabolism: Development of organelle-specific metabolomics to understand how enzyme isoform localization provides a proliferative advantage to tumors. Pediatric Leukemia: Identification of selective metabolic dependencies in relapsed childhood leukemia and evaluation of transporter-targeted therapies as alternatives to systemic nutrient depletion. Research Output & Trends Across 2020-2024, Dr. Parker has co-authored multiple high-impact studies ( Nature, Cell, Nat Cancer, Cancer Discov ) that collectively map metabolic rewiring in pancreatic cancer, glioma, Ewing sarcoma, and leukemia. A consistent theme is the integration of metabolomics, proteomics, and in vivo models to translate metabolic findings into therapeutic strategies. Scientific Awards No specific awards were listed in the provided text. Training & Mentorship Dr. Parker actively recruits graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and research associates. His lab website invites prospective trainees to inquire about opportunities in metabolomics, transporter biology, and pediatric cancer research. Labs & Teams The Parker Laboratory is located in the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, with access to core facilities for mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, and animal models, fostering collaborative networks across UBC and the BC Cancer Research Centre.

• Cancer Metabolism
• Nutrient Transporter Biology
• Childhood Leukemia
• +6 more

Dr. Elena De Vita is a Lecturer in Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), affiliated with the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences and the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology. She holds a position in the Department of Biochemistry and leads the EDV-Lab research group. Her research focuses on covalent ligand discovery and development for chemical biology and drug discovery applications, particularly targeting protein phosphorylation dynamics in cancer. Education and Career: Dr. De Vita earned her MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Pisa (2014). She completed her PhD at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ, Heidelberg) under Dr. Aubry Miller, developing covalent inhibitors of KLK6. Postdoctoral roles included a CRUK Research Associate position with Prof. Edward Tate, followed by a Marie Skłodowska Curie Fellowship (2020) and funding from Worldwide Cancer Research (2022). She joined QMUL in 2023. Research Interests: Her group develops chemical tools like PHOSTACs (PHOSphorylation TArgeting Chimeras) to study protein dephosphorylation via covalent ligand-induced proximity. Current projects target the unknown phosphoproteome in cancer, exploring therapeutic opportunities through targeted protein dephosphorylation. Key areas include covalent drug design, protein phosphatase recruitment, and translational chemical biology. Grants and Recognition: She leads Royal Society-funded projects on covalent probes for protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and PHOSTACs for K-Ras-driven tumors. Awards include the Merck Innovation Cup (2021) and L’Oréal-UNESCO UK Women In Science shortlist (2022). Labs and Collaborations: Her lab (EDV-Lab) focuses on interdisciplinary approaches combining synthetic chemistry, biochemistry, and cell biology. Collaborations involve Imperial College London, DKFZ, and global cancer research institutions. Future directions include scaling PHOSTAC technologies for clinical translation and expanding covalent ligand applications in precision oncology.

• Chemical Biology
• Covalent Ligands
• Drug Discovery
• +3 more

Hossein Taghizadeh, MSc PhD, is a resident physician in hematology and oncology at the Department of Internal Medicine 1, St. Pölten University Hospital, and affiliated with Karl Landsteiner Private University of Health Sciences. He holds a PhD in Oncology from the Medical University of Vienna and a Master’s in Molecular Oncology from Centro de Estudios Biosanitarios, Madrid. He conducts postdoctoral research at the MUW Center for Cancer Research and teaches at both Karl Landsteiner and Medical University of Vienna. Education: Medical degree, PhD in Oncology (MUW), MSc in Molecular Oncology (Madrid) Current Roles: Resident in Hematology & Oncology, Postdoc Researcher, Graduate Supervisor, Clinical Lead (Gastrointestinal Oncology Outpatient Clinic) Future Plans: Awaits specialization exam in 2023; has submitted habilitation thesis to MUW. Dr. Taghizadeh's research focuses on molecular oncology and targeted therapies in solid tumors, particularly gastrointestinal cancers. His work emphasizes real-world clinical data , molecular profiling , and personalized treatment strategies . He investigates biomarkers in colorectal, pancreatic, biliary, and lung cancers, with a strong focus on improving survival through precision medicine. His recent publications show a consistent trend in evaluating targeted therapies , immunotherapy , and systemic treatment protocols across biliary tract, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. He frequently uses retrospective real-world data and contributes to national expert consensus statements , highlighting his growing influence in Austrian oncology. Dr. Taghizadeh actively supervises graduate students and teaches at two universities, emphasizing the importance of training future physicians. He serves as a reviewer for multiple journals, further demonstrating his academic engagement. Principal Investigator of multiple research projects on pancreatic and biliary cancers Active in clinical research at St. Pölten University Hospital Member of research teams at MUW Center for Cancer Research

• Oncology
• Molecular Oncology
• Hematology
• +7 more

Rona Yaeger, MD is a Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist and Early Drug Development Specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, specializing in treating cancers of the colon, rectum, anal squamous cell cancer, carcinoid tumors, and other gastrointestinal tract cancers. Dr. Yaeger completed her MD at New York University, followed by an Internal Medicine residency at Columbia University Medical Center, and fellowships in Medical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Her clinical and laboratory research centers on understanding molecular subsets of colorectal cancer and developing new therapies based on this understanding, with a particular focus on colorectal tumors with mutations in the BRAF or RAS genes. She leads the clinical trial program for colorectal tumors that harbor BRAF mutations at MSKCC. Dr. Yaeger's work bridges clinical practice and laboratory research, aiming to use insights from cancer cell biology to guide patient care and develop more rationally designed clinical trials. Her research portfolio demonstrates a strong focus on precision oncology, particularly in the development of targeted therapies for molecularly defined subsets of gastrointestinal cancers. Recent publications highlight her leadership in clinical trials for BRAF-mutated colorectal cancer, KRAS-targeted therapies, and innovative approaches to organ preservation in rectal cancer treatment. Dr. Yaeger serves as an investigator for multiple clinical trials, particularly those focused on molecularly targeted therapies for gastrointestinal cancers with specific genetic mutations. Her work has contributed significantly to establishing new standards of care for patients with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. As a physician-scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dr. Yaeger is part of a team that integrates cutting-edge research with clinical care, contributing to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.

• Colorectal Cancer
• Molecular Subsets of Cancer
• BRAF Mutations
• +6 more

Amin Nassar, M.D., is a Clinical Fellow in Medical Oncology and Hematology at Yale School of Medicine. He holds a medical degree from the American University of Beirut and completed residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His postdoctoral training under Professors David Kwiatkowski, Toni Choueiri, and Matthew Freedman at Harvard Medical School focused on genomic biomarkers across ancestral populations with cancer. Currently pursuing a PhD in tumor immunology at the Flavell lab, he is dedicated to becoming a physician-scientist specializing in thoracic oncology. His research explores genetic and epigenetic factors influencing cancer outcomes, including tumor mutational burden (TMB) recalibration across ethnicities, KRAS mutations, and immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in diverse populations. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals like Nature Communications , Cancer Cell , and New England Journal of Medicine . Nassar serves on editorial boards for Frontiers in Oncology , Molecular Biology Reports , and Translational Oncology , and has received awards including the ASH Achievement Award (2022) and Alpha Omega Alpha (2016). His work bridges clinical practice and research, emphasizing health equity and precision medicine.

• Genomic Biomarkers
• Thoracic Oncology
• Tumor Immunology
• +3 more

Salman Punekar, MD is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine at the Yale School of Medicine. He specializes in oncology and clinical trials focused on innovative cancer therapies. Dr. Punekar’s research emphasizes immunotherapy, particularly CAR T-cell therapies and targeted molecular agents, with a focus on solid tumors and pancreatic cancer. He has contributed to multiple phase I/II clinical trials evaluating novel treatments such as RMC-6236 (RAS inhibitor), A2B530/A2B694 (logic-gated CAR T-cell therapies), and PRT3789 (SMARCA2 degrader). His work addresses treatment efficacy, safety, and biomarker analysis using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Education: MD from Drexel University College of Medicine (2011). Research interests span molecular targeted therapies, immune-checkpoint inhibitors, and translational oncology. He collaborates on studies involving KRAS mutations (G12V/D), EGFR-driven NSCLC, and HLA loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in solid tumors. Dr. Punekar also investigates disparities in cancer care outcomes among ethnic/racial minority populations. Key publications from 2024-2025 highlight advancements in CAR T-cell engineering, RAS pathway inhibition, and SMARCA2 degradation strategies. His work bridges preclinical insights with clinical trial execution to advance personalized cancer medicine.

• Oncology
• Immunotherapy
• Clinical Trials
• +3 more

Conan G. Kinsey, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Oncological Sciences at the University of Utah School of Medicine. As a board-certified medical oncologist and principal investigator of the Kinsey Laboratory at Huntsman Cancer Institute, his work focuses on combining targeted therapies with autophagy inhibition for pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers, aiming for rapid clinical translation. Education: MD and PhD in Genetics and Medicine from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, residency at University of Utah School of Medicine, postdoctoral training at Huntsman Cancer Institute His research explores how protective mechanisms like autophagy enable resistance to targeted therapies in RAS/RAF-mutated cancers. The Kinsey Lab employs cancer-derived cell lines, patient-derived organoids, and xenograft models to evaluate novel therapeutic combinations. The 12 most recent publications highlight roles in MEK1/2 and KRAS(G12C) inhibition, autophagy's role in pancreatic cancer, and strategies for overcoming resistance in NTRK1-driven cancers and melanoma. Articles span molecular oncology, pharmacology, and translational research. Kinsey's clinical expertise includes pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, and medical oncology at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The lab collaborates with researchers such as Martin McMahon, Bryan Welm, and Eric Snyder.

• Oncology
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Gastrointestinal Cancer
• +5 more

Dr. Pascale Charest is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona, with affiliations in the Cancer Bio GIDP, Bio5 Institute, and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She leads the Charest Lab, which focuses on understanding the signaling pathways controlling chemotaxis and cell migration, particularly in Dictyostelium discoideum and human cancer cells. Her interdisciplinary research combines genetic, biochemical, and computational approaches. Education : Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology (implied by academic rank). Research Interests : Chemotaxis mechanisms, directed cell migration, Ras and Rap1 signaling pathways, mTORC2 regulation, and metastasis prevention. The lab uses Dictyostelium as a model organism and collaborates with Dr. Wouter-Jan Rappel on quantitative models of chemotaxis. Recent Articles Trends : Recent work emphasizes Ras-mTORC2 signaling, oncogenic KRAS mutations in lung cancer, and caffeine’s effects on signaling pathways. Collaborations integrate live-cell imaging and proximity labeling techniques. Awards : NSF-MCB 2426002, NIH-NIGMS grants, and individual awards like the Galileo Circle and ABRCMS Poster Award. Advising & Grants : Mentors over 40 students, including graduates like Douglas Swango and Olivia Hajdys. Funded by NIH, NSF, and industry grants. Labs/Teams : The Charest Lab collaborates across departments and institutions, hosting high school interns and graduate students in diverse programs.

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Chemotaxis
• +3 more

Prof. Dieter Saur is a Professor of Translational Tumor Research at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Head of the Department at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). His research focuses on developing personalized cancer therapies through mechanistic studies of tumor-relevant genetic alterations, with a particular emphasis on pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers. Education: Studied medicine at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, earned a doctorate in neurogastroenterology, completed specialist training in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal oncology, and habilitation in internal medicine. He became a senior physician at University Hospital rechts der Isar before his current roles at TUM and DKFZ. Research Interests: Translational cancer research, genetic drivers of tumor progression, early detection methods, and targeted therapies for pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers. He uses genetically engineered mouse models and organoid systems to study tumor heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. Awards: Recipient of prestigious grants like the ERC Consolidator Grant (2015) and awards such as the Martin Wienbeck Award (2014) and Rising Star Award (2006). His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Labs/Teams: Leads the Translational Tumor Research group at TUM and collaborates with the DKFZ to advance preclinical and clinical cancer research. Key projects include exploring KRAS signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and immune checkpoint therapies.

• Translational Cancer Research
• Genetic Alterations in Cancer
• Personalized Medicine
• +3 more

Emanuela Grassilli is an Associate Professor of General Pathology (MED/04) at Link Campus University in Rome. Her research focuses on oncology, particularly the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and drug resistance in cancer cells. She identified the novel BTK isoform p65BTK, which is overexpressed in solid tumors like colon, ovarian, and glioblastoma cancers. Her work aims to develop targeted therapies to overcome chemotherapy resistance. Education: Graduated in Biological Sciences (University of Modena, 1989), postdoctoral research at Thomas Jefferson University (USA), and the European Institute of Oncology (Milan). Founded Bionsil srl (2010), a university spin-off targeting p65BTK. Research Interests: Molecular pathways in apoptosis, BTK isoform biology, metronomic chemotherapy, and liquid biopsy diagnostics for breast cancer using extracellular vesicle markers. Collaborates with national and international teams, including Dr. Maria Grazia Cerrito on breast carcinoma drug responses. Funding: Secured over €2M for Bionsil and grants from Lung Cancer Research Foundation, Rivkin Center, and earlier.org. Published 63 peer-reviewed articles (H-index 29, 3,118 citations). Teaching: General Pathology (since 2017), Molecular Therapy (2004–2013), and Cellular and Molecular Oncology (2009–2010).

• Oncology
• Molecular Pathology
• Apoptosis Mechanisms
• +4 more

Martin McMahon is a Professor of Dermatology and Adjunct Professor of Oncological Sciences at the University of Utah, where he conducts translational cancer research. His work focuses on melanoma, lung cancer, and thyroid cancer, particularly mutations in BRAF, KRAS, PIK3CA, and CTNNB1, as well as tumor suppressor alterations like CDKN2A, PTEN, and TP53. Primary Affiliation: University of Utah Academic Roles: Professor of Dermatology, Adjunct Professor of Oncological Sciences Dr. McMahon's research integrates cultured human cancer cells and genetically engineered mouse models to explore diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tools for cancer. Key areas include RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, therapy resistance, and tumor progression mechanisms. Recent publications highlight trends in BRAFV600E-driven cancers, autophagy inhibition to overcome resistance, KRASG12C mutations, ERBB receptor signaling in lung cancer, and the role of transcription factors like NFAT in metastasis. Subfields span RAF/MEK/ERK signaling, therapy resistance, oncogenic mutations, mouse modeling, kinase inhibition, and tumor suppressor mechanisms. His laboratory, part of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, collaborates on preclinical studies to advance targeted therapies and combination strategies for RAS-driven cancers. Email contact: martin.mcmahon@hci.utah.edu .

• Translational Cancer Research
• Mouse Models
• Melanoma
• +5 more

Peter W. Laird is a Professor and Peter and Emajean Cook Endowed Chair in Epigenetics at Van Andel Institute , Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously held academic roles at the University of Southern California (USC) from 1996–2014, including directorship of the USC Epigenome Center. His research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms in cancer , particularly DNA methylation dynamics and their role in tumor initiation, progression, and translational applications. Education: B.S./M.S. from University of Leiden; Ph.D. (1988) from University of Amsterdam Postdoctoral Training: Netherlands Cancer Institute (Anton Berns), Whitehead Institute (Rudolf Jaenisch) Research Themes include: Mechanisms of DNA methylation in cancer Development of mouse models for epigenetic studies Single-cell epigenomic analysis Clinical applications of epigenetics in prevention/detection Key Contributions : Co-development of all epigenomic data for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), discovery of replication-associated DNA hypomethylation, and creation of tools like BISCUIT for DNA methylation analysis. His work has been recognized through the Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list and major grants from NCI. Mentorship includes advising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows such as Nathan Spix, Felicia Ebot Ojong, and Jae Min Park. He has published over 122 peer-reviewed papers in 2024 alone, with 63 in high-impact journals.

• Cancer Epigenomics
• DNA Methylation
• Epigenetic Mechanisms in Cancer
• +3 more

Heather Lazowski is a Researcher at the Yale School of Medicine, Yale University. Her research focuses on lung cancer mechanisms, molecular oncology, and cancer survivorship. She holds a BS in Medical Biology from the University of New England (2008). Key collaborators include Lynn Tanoue, Roy Herbst, and David Rimm. Her work spans genomic mutations (APOBEC, NFE2L2), RAS signaling pathways, and quality-of-life outcomes in lung cancer patients. Publications include studies in Lung Cancer and Clinical Cancer Research , addressing topics like APOBEC-driven carcinogenesis and therapeutic targets for RAS fusion proteins. Notable contributions include identifying prognostic biomarkers in early-stage lung adenocarcinomas and uncovering MEK inhibition sensitivity in oncogenic RAS-driven tumors.

• Lung Cancer Research
• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more