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Amy Catherine RowatView profile

Professor

• Mechanobiology
• Cancer biophysics
• Single-cell mechanics
• +6 more

Amy Catherine Rowat is a full Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology at UCLA's College of Letters and Science. She directs an interdisciplinary research program that integrates mechanobiology, microfluidics, cancer biophysics and food engineering to understand how physical forces shape cell behavior and to develop sustainable biotechnologies. Education & Affiliations: Professor, Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, UCLA Member, UCLA College of Letters and Science Research Interests: Rowat's group deciphers how mechanical properties of cells and their nuclei influence disease progression and therapeutic response. Using high-throughput microfluidic deformability cytometry, her team discovered that cancer cells become stiffer and more invasive upon β-adrenergic signaling, linking stress hormones to metastatic potential. Parallel efforts focus on nuclear envelope mechanics, showing that histone H1.0 and transient nuclear deformation modulate chromatin structure and cell reprogramming. Beyond biomedicine, Rowat pioneers biophysical approaches for sustainable food production. She engineers edible scaffolds and emulsion-templated microcarriers to culture meat at scale, demonstrating spontaneous fusion of adipogenic and myogenic microtissues into marbled steak-like constructs. Recent Article Trends (2020-2025): Her latest publications reveal a cohesive trajectory: coupling mechanobiology to epigenetic regulation (viscoelastic matrix enhances chromatin remodeling), advancing single-cell mechanical phenotyping (optomagnetic arrays, high-throughput screens), translating findings to cancer therapy (β-blockers to sensitize chemotherapy) and expanding engineered foods (scalable cultured-meat bioprocessing). Funding & Awards: NIH R21 CA245667 (PI) – Repurposing beta-blockers to improve chemotherapy response (2021-2023) Laboratory & Teams: Rowat leads an active research laboratory at UCLA that trains graduate students and postdocs at the intersection of physics, engineering and biology. The lab maintains collaborations across UCLA Engineering, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and external partners in food science and biotechnology companies.

Andrew BassettView profile

Researcher

• Genome Engineering
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Stem Cell Research
• +5 more

Dr. Andrew Bassett serves as Head of the Cellular and Gene Editing Research group at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, where he develops cutting-edge genome engineering techniques using human pluripotent stem cells to investigate neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. His work focuses on scaling genetic screening approaches and improving CRISPR specificity for modeling complex disease mechanisms. His academic training includes: PhD at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB) with Andrew Travers on chromatin remodelling in heterochromatin formation Postdoctoral research with David Baulcombe at the University of Cambridge studying small RNA roles in chromatin modification Additional postdoctoral work with Chris Ponting at the MRC Functional Genomics Unit (MRC-FGU) in Oxford, where he pioneered CRISPR applications in Drosophila Bassett's research program centers on developing advanced genome engineering methodologies for precise modulation of gene expression networks during development and neurodegeneration. His group specializes in creating complex editing events (SNPs, paired knockouts, enhancer perturbations) within iPSC-derived models, with particular emphasis on epigenetic regulation and transcriptional control. Current projects integrate single-cell 'omics and phenotypic assays to decode genetic causes of neurodegenerative disorders through the OpenTargets consortium. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in CRISPR technology development (35%), neurodegenerative disease modeling (30%), and single-cell functional genomics (25%). His work consistently bridges methodological innovation with disease mechanism studies, increasingly incorporating multi-omics approaches and expanding into cancer immunology and infectious disease applications since 2022. As group leader, Bassett mentors postdoctoral researchers and PhD students while securing major funding for genome engineering initiatives. His team operates within the Sanger Institute's Cellular Operations division and maintains critical partnerships with the OpenTargets consortium for therapeutic target validation. The laboratory specializes in high-throughput screening platforms using iPSC-derived neural and microglial models, with recent methodological advances including scSNV-seq and ONE-STEP tagging systems that significantly enhance precision genome editing capabilities.

• Neuro-oncology
• Neuropathology
• Glioblastoma
• +3 more

Professor Patrick Harter is a faculty member at the Institute of Neuropathology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), where he leads research in neuro-oncology and molecular diagnostics of CNS tumors. His work focuses on glioblastoma, meningioma, and brain metastasis, with emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and metabolic adaptations in the tumor microenvironment. Research interests span: Molecular classification of brain tumors using DNA methylation profiling Therapeutic targeting of BRAF/MEK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways Role of hypoxia and metabolic plasticity in treatment resistance Liquid biopsy development for non-invasive tumor monitoring His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating epigenetic, metabolic, and immunotherapeutic approaches. Articles frequently explore: Novel biomarkers for tumor grading and prognosis Mechanisms of therapy resistance in gliomas Impact of tumor microenvironment on metastasis

Nadya DimitrovaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Long Non-Coding RNAs
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Nadya Dimitrova is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at Yale University, affiliated with the Yale School of Medicine. She holds secondary appointments in Genetics and is a member of multiple interdisciplinary centers, including the Center for RNA Science and Medicine. Her research focuses on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their roles in cancer biology, particularly in tumor suppression and oncogenesis. Dimitrova earned her Sc.B. in Biochemistry from Brown University (2002), a Ph.D. from The Rockefeller University (2009), and completed postdoctoral training at MIT's Koch Institute. Notable awards include the HHMI Predoctoral Fellowship, Damon Runyon Postdoctoral Fellowship, and the 2023 Yale Cancer Center Class of '61 Award. Her lab explores lncRNA mechanisms using genomic and genetic tools, aiming to uncover their roles in cancer pathways. Recent work highlights lncRNAs' roles in metastasis, cardiac hypertrophy, and p53 signaling. Collaborations with researchers like Antariksh Tyagi and Clara Liao drive translational insights into RNA-based therapies. Education: Sc.B., Brown University (2002); Ph.D., The Rockefeller University (2009). Research interests include lncRNA regulation, cancer transcriptomics, and RNA-driven disease mechanisms. Her lab integrates systems biology approaches to dissect lncRNA functions in health and disease.

Andrea H. BrandView profile

Professor

• Stem Cell Biology
• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• +3 more

Andrea H. Brand serves as the Frederick L. Ehrman Professor of Cell Biology and Professor of Neuroscience at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, where she chairs the Department of Cell Biology. Her dual appointments reflect an interdisciplinary research program spanning molecular mechanisms of stem cell regulation and neural development. Dr. Brand earned her PhD from the University of Cambridge followed by prestigious postdoctoral fellowships: a Leukemia Society Special Fellowship at Harvard Medical School and a Helen Hay Whitney Fellowship at Harvard University. These foundational experiences established her expertise in genetic model systems. Her research integrates stem cell biology and neuroscience through innovative work with Drosophila and mouse models. Key investigations focus on chromatin dynamics in stem cell quiescence, Notch/insulin signaling pathways, neural progenitor reprogramming, and blood-brain barrier formation. Current projects explore obesity-related gene function and CHD8 genomic targets relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing translational potential for regenerative medicine. Recent publications (2020-2022) reveal consistent themes in stem cell niche organization and disease mechanisms, with notable contributions to understanding tumorigenesis through neural progenitor studies and metabolic influences on barrier development. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary convergence between developmental genetics and systems neuroscience. No scientific awards were documented in the provided profile information. While the profile indicates Professor Brand's leadership as Department Chair, specific details regarding student mentorship, grant funding, or laboratory structure were not included in the available text. Her position suggests active supervision of research teams and potential involvement in major collaborative initiatives.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Genetics
• +3 more

Christopher J. Lengner is the Harriet Ellison Woodward Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a member of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, NIH P30 Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases, and Abramson Cancer Center, with roles in training and research leadership. Education : PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Massachusetts Medical School (2004). His research focuses on molecular mechanisms governing stem cell potency and their dysregulation in diseases like cancer and regenerative failure. Using genetic, genomic, and single-cell approaches in murine and human systems, his lab has uncovered novel pathways in intestinal stem cell hierarchy, cancer ontogeny, and therapeutic targeting. Recent publications highlight work in colorectal cancer metastasis (PI3K/AKT, NOTUM inhibition), intestinal regeneration (mTORC1, FLASH radiotherapy), and tumor microenvironment dynamics. Collaborations span human induced pluripotent cells and patient samples. Scientific Awards : Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellowship He mentors graduate students (Ryan Cedeno, Maryam Yousefi) and leads the Center for Animal Transgenesis. His lab’s integrative studies bridge basic science to translational applications in oncology and regenerative medicine.

Michael LevinView profile

Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Bioelectricity
• Cognitive Science
• +7 more

Michael Levin is a Distinguished Professor at Tufts University in the Department of Biology within the School of Arts and Sciences. He serves as Director of both the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University and the Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology. His laboratory investigates the intersection of developmental biology, artificial life, bioengineering, synthetic morphology, and cognitive science. Allen Discovery Center at Tufts Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology Tufts/UVM: ICDO Harvard Wyss Institute Stibel Dennett Consortium for Brain and Cognitive Science The Proteus Institute MIT Science and Technology Center EBICS Levin's research focuses on understanding diverse intelligence in evolved, designed, and hybrid complex systems. His lab combines developmental biophysics, computer science, and behavioral science to study how cognition scales up from cellular competencies to organism-level behaviors. A key specialty is developmental bioelectricity—the study of how somatic electrical networks store, process, and act on information to control large-scale body structure. His team creates tools to read and edit the bioelectric code guiding proto-cognitive computations in the body. Levin's publications reveal a strong focus on bioelectricity, morphogenesis, and non-neural cognition across multiple model systems including Xenopus, planarians, and synthetic living constructs. His recent work explores collective intelligence as a unifying concept across biological scales, the development of microfluidic devices for measuring electrical connectivity, and optical estimation of bioelectric patterns in living embryos. His research spans fundamental developmental mechanisms to potential biomedical applications in regeneration and disease treatment. As an editor, Levin serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Bioelectricity and Founding Associate Editor of Collective Intelligence. He has mentored numerous post-doctoral fellows and graduate students who have gone on to establish their own research programs. His lab has received significant attention for creating novel biological machines (xenobots) and demonstrating that cells can store and transmit behavioral memory outside the brain. The Levin Lab maintains several significant research initiatives including the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts, the Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, and collaborations with the Wyss Institute at Harvard. The lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining wet lab experiments with computational modeling to investigate how living systems achieve goal-directed behavior and pattern formation.

Maureen SartorView profile

Professor

• Epigenetics
• Bioinformatics
• Cancer Research
• +7 more

Maureen Sartor is a Professor in the Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics at the University of Michigan Medical School. Her work bridges computational biology, epigenetics, and cancer research, with recent contributions to understanding environmental toxicant impacts on DNA methylation, HPV-associated head and neck cancers, and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. Key research themes: Epigenetic regulation, bioinformatics modeling, environmental health Active clinical trial collaborations in immunotherapy rechallenge and neoadjuvant treatment strategies Leadership in cross-species toxicoepigenetic studies and microbiome-immune crosstalk in oral cancer Recent publications highlight her expertise in: Epigenetic age acceleration in ALS and its environmental correlates HPV integration mechanisms in oropharyngeal cancer Chemical oxidation techniques for piRNA discovery Sex-specific epigenetic responses to lead and phthalate exposure Her interdisciplinary approach connects computational methods with experimental validation across multiple disease models.

Raul A. UrrutiaView profile

Professor

• Genomics
• Epigenomics
• Precision Medicine
• +4 more

Raul A. Urrutia, MD is a Professor in the Department of Surgery & Biochemistry and the Director of the Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He holds the Warren P. Knowles Endowed Chair of Genomics and Precision Medicine and directs the Pancreas Cancer Program. His research focuses on genomics, epigenomics, and precision medicine, particularly in pancreatic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. He has discovered key tumor suppressor genes and epigenetic pathways operational in pancreatic cancer and other diseases. His lab employs a multidisciplinary team of biochemists, geneticists, and bioinformaticians to advance precision medicine. Education: MD, University of Cordoba Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH Research Interests: Dr. Urrutia’s work integrates genomic and epigenomic approaches to uncover mechanisms underlying pancreatic cancer, diabetes, and other diseases. His lab has made seminal contributions to understanding KLF proteins, histone-modifying enzymes (HDACs, HATs, HMTs), and histone-protein subcodes. Recent studies focus on epigenetic regulators in cancer progression and therapy resistance, mitochondrial genomic variants in transplantation outcomes, and precision medicine simulation models. Publications Trends: Recent articles emphasize targeting epigenetic regulators (e.g., CBX5, EZH2), mitochondrial genomics in hematopoietic transplantation, and systems biology approaches combining germline/somatic mutations for tumor analysis. The work spans disciplines from molecular biology to clinical translation. Awards: Warren P. Knowles Endowed Chair Member, American Society of Clinical Investigation Advising & Grants: Dr. Urrutia has mentored over 50 investigators. His lab is funded by NCI grants, the CIBMTR Data Resource (U24), and philanthropic support like the Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation. Research units include the Precision Medicine Simulation Unit and collaborations with global institutions. Labs & Teams: Leads the Urrutia Research Laboratory and the Mellowes Center, collaborating with experts in epigenetics, computational biology, and clinical genomics. Key lab members include Angela J. Mathison, PhD (Technology Director) and Gareth Pollin, PhD (Bioinformatics).

Marco ContiView profile

Professor

• Reproductive Biology
• Oocyte Development
• Signal Transduction
• +3 more

Dr. Marco Conti is the Fred Gellert Endowed Professor at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, where he serves in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. He previously directed the Center for Reproductive Sciences at UCSF, a leading institution in reproductive biology research. Dr. Conti received his M.D. from the University of Rome School of Medicine in 1974, followed by postdoctoral training in Reproductive Biology at the same institution (1974-75) and Endocrinology at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD (1975-77). His research career spans over four decades with significant contributions to understanding oocyte development and reproductive biology. Dr. Conti's research program focuses on signal transduction pathways required for germ cell development, particularly those controlling oocyte meiotic maturation and developmental competence. His lab has identified critical signals arising in somatic cells during ovulation that establish oocyte developmental competence. The research examines how disruption of these pathways affects maternal mRNA translation patterns into proteins critical for nuclear reprogramming and early embryo development. This work has significant implications for stem cell research, understanding mechanisms controlling cell replication during preimplantation development, and developing embryonic stem cells into artificial gametes. Additional research interests include fertility preservation for cancer patients. Analysis of Dr. Conti's publication record reveals a consistent focus on reproductive biology with particular emphasis on cAMP signaling pathways, phosphodiesterases, mRNA translation regulation, and oocyte maturation. His work shows progression from foundational studies on cAMP-specific phosphodiesterases in the 1990s to more recent sophisticated analyses of maternal mRNA translation programs using single-cell approaches and multi-omics techniques. The research demonstrates increasing complexity in methodology while maintaining focus on fundamental questions of oocyte developmental competence. International Fogarty Fellow (1975-77) Phi Beta Kappa Teaching Excellence Award (2000) Sandler Foundation Senior Investigator Award (2001) Society for the Study of Reproduction Research Award (2003) Board of Directors Society for the Study of Reproduction (2006) Dr. Conti has mentored numerous researchers in reproductive biology and has been instrumental in establishing genetic models to study oocyte developmental competence. His laboratory work has significant translational potential for improving assisted reproductive technologies and understanding age-related declines in fertility. The Center for Reproductive Sciences at UCSF, which he previously directed, serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting basic science discoveries with clinical applications in reproductive medicine.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Cancer Research
• Reproductive Biology
• +2 more

Dr. Jae Ho Lee is a research scientist at Newcastle University specializing in stem cell biology and cancer research, with significant publications between 2006-2010 primarily in collaboration with Professor Karim Nayernia and colleagues including Dr. Ingrid Ehrmann and Professor David Elliott. His work bridges molecular oncology, reproductive biology, and regenerative medicine through investigation of stem cell mechanisms in germ cell development and tumorigenesis. His core research examines stem cell plasticity in cancer and reproduction, focusing on Piwil2 protein functions in breast cancer stem cell proliferation/antiapoptosis, derivation of germ cells from bone marrow stem cells, and spermatogonial stem cell regulation. Key contributions include demonstrating Piwil2's role in Stat3/Bcl-XL-mediated tumor survival, in vitro production of functional male gametes from embryonic stem cells, and transdifferentiation pathways between somatic and germ cells. Analysis of his 2006-2010 publications reveals consistent exploration of molecular intersections between stem cell self-renewal and oncogenesis, with emphasis on Piwil2 as a regulatory hub. His work demonstrates translational potential for infertility treatments through germ cell derivation techniques and identifies apoptosis pathways as therapeutic targets in breast cancer. No scientific awards were documented in the source materials. While specific student mentorship isn't listed, his collaborative publications with senior researchers indicate active laboratory leadership in stem cell projects. The consistent co-authorship with Professor Nayernia suggests participation in grant-funded research programs focused on germ cell biology and cancer stem cells, though exact funding sources remain unspecified.

Effie ApostolouView profile

Associate Professor

• 3D Chromatin Architecture
• Epigenetics
• Cell Fate Reprogramming
• +5 more

Effie Apostolou serves as Associate Professor of Molecular Biology in Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine's Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology and Cancer Center. She leads the Chromatin Organization & Cell Fate Decisions laboratory within the vibrant Tri-Institutional research community (Weill Cornell, Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering). Her research focuses on the critical interplay between transcription factors, 3D chromatin architecture, and transcriptional regulation during cell fate decisions. Key areas include somatic cell reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), epigenetic inheritance of cell identity, and dysregulation in cancer. Her lab utilizes cutting-edge 4D genomics approaches including Hi-C, ChIP-seq, and CRISPR-based technologies to build molecular roadmaps of cellular transitions. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on chromatin topology mechanisms across developmental and disease contexts. Her work spans fundamental discoveries in mitotic bookmarking (2021), enhancer-promoter networks (2019), and epigenetic barriers to reprogramming (2012-2013), demonstrating interdisciplinary integration of computational and experimental genomics. Scientific recognition includes: NIH Director's New Innovator Award Emerging Leader Award from the Mark Foundation EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship Jane Coffins Child Foundation Fellowship As a dedicated mentor, she advises multiple PhD students across BCMB, PBSB, and Tri-I CBM programs while maintaining a multicultural lab environment with members from over 10 nationalities. Her research is supported through the 4D Nucleome Consortium and focuses on translating chromatin architecture insights into therapeutic applications for cancer and regenerative medicine.

Filipe PereiraView profile

Professor

• Cellular Reprogramming
• Hematopoiesis
• Immunology
• +5 more

Filipe Pereira is a Professor and Senior Lecturer at Lund University's Faculty of Medicine, where he holds a Wallenberg Molecular Medicine Fellowship and leads the Cell Reprogramming in Hematopoiesis and Immunity research team within the Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. Dr. Pereira's research focuses on understanding the molecular determinants of cell reprogramming and hematopoietic specification. His laboratory investigates how cellular identities are specified during development, with particular emphasis on Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) for their regenerative potential and Dendritic Cells (DCs) as key orchestrators of immunity. The team explores experimental approaches to cell reprogramming including nuclear transfer, cell fusion, and transcription factor expression to develop new therapies for immune and blood diseases. Analysis of Dr. Pereira's 98 research outputs reveals a strong focus on cellular reprogramming techniques for immunotherapy applications, particularly in cancer treatment. His work spans molecular biology, immunology, and stem cell research, with significant contributions to understanding transcription factor networks that control cell fate decisions. The research has practical applications in regenerative medicine and cancer immunotherapy, with several publications in high-impact journals including Nature Communications and Science Immunology. Scientific Recognition: Imperial College Emerging Alumni Leader Award (2025) ERC Proof of Concept grant (2024) Pfizer-Portugal award in basic research (2024) ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2023) Eric K. Fernströms Prize to young particularly promising researchers (2023) Dr. Pereira actively supervises graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with 12 PhD students and 8 postdocs under his mentorship. He leads multiple research projects including 'In Vivo Dendritic Cell Reprogramming Immunotherapy' and 'Functional chemical reprogramming of cancer cells to induce antitumor immunity,' funded by organizations including the European Commission and Cancer Research Institute. His laboratory has developed innovative approaches to reprogram somatic cells into desired hematopoietic cell types, with significant implications for therapeutic applications. The Cell Reprogramming in Hematopoiesis and Immunity team collaborates extensively across international boundaries, with research outputs picked up by numerous news outlets and referenced in patents and Wikipedia pages, demonstrating the broad impact of their work in the scientific community and beyond.

Margareta WilhelmView profile

Research Professor

• cancer research
• tumor development
• tumor microenvironment
• +7 more

Margareta Wilhelm is a Principal Researcher leading the Wilhelm lab at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC). In 2018, she received a highly competitive Senior Research position from the KI Board of Research, providing 1.2 million SEK annually for five years. Her research focuses on understanding mechanisms regulating cancer development and the cross-talk between tumor cells, stroma, and immune cells. The Wilhelm lab develops innovative disease-relevant stem cell models using reprogramming techniques to uncover how healthy cells transform into cancer cells and identify novel therapeutic targets. They specialize in childhood neural tumors including medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma, which constitute one-third of childhood cancers but nearly half of cancer-related mortalities in children. The lab creates sophisticated cancer models through somatic cell reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and differentiation to neural stem cells, enabling both hypothesis-driven approaches and compound library screens to identify targets. They also develop ex-vivo neural organoid models that allow 3D self-organization into brain-like structures for studying tumor initiation and drug responses. Scientific Awards: Senior Research position from the KI Board of Research (2018) Advising: Dr. Wilhelm has mentored numerous PhD students including Johanna Wolfsberger (2020), Ana Marin Navarro (2019), and Habib Sakil (2017), along with postdocs such as Veronica Zubillaga, Marina Stantic, and Evelyn Susanto, plus dozens of master's students from international institutions. Laboratory: The Wilhelm lab investigates how the age of the surrounding environment affects tumor development and explores using non-HLA restricted T cells for adoptive cell therapy to eliminate tumors while preserving healthy tissue. They actively recruit postdocs and occasionally have openings for doctoral students, with research aimed at developing more targeted cancer therapies that specifically eliminate tumor cells while sparing developing tissues.

Thea TlstyView profile

Professor

• Epithelial-stromal interactions
• Genomic instability
• Chronic inflammation and cancer
• +3 more

Dr. Thea Tlsty is a Professor at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, Department of Pathology. With over 25 years of experience in cancer biology, she leads multidisciplinary research on epithelial-stromal interactions, chronic inflammation, and cellular plasticity in carcinogenesis. Her lab developed the first biomarkers for ductal carcinoma in situ risk stratification and discovered rare pluripotent cells in normal tissues with implications for metaplastic cancers. Education: BS in Zoology (University of South Florida, 1973) PhD in Molecular Biology (Washington University, 1980) Predoctoral Fellow (Washington University, 1976-1980) Postdoctoral Fellow & Senior Research Associate (Stanford University, 1981-1985) Dr. Tlsty's research focuses on: Stromal-epithelial stress response mechanisms Chronic inflammation's role in cancer CD36 repression in high mammographic density Pluripotent cell biology Multi-investigator grant projects Her 15 most recent publications highlight trends in proteomics, spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics integration to study tumor microenvironment dynamics, particularly in breast, esophageal, and colorectal cancers. Scientific Awards: Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge Grant (£20M) NCI Outstanding Investigator Award Blaffer Distinguished Lectures (MD Anderson) Nakahara Award (Princess Takamatsu Foundation) KOMEN Scholar & AVON Scholar Elected AAAS Fellow NCI Knudson Award Dr. Tlsty has received continuous NIH funding since 1987, including ongoing R35 grant (R35CA197694) for studying stress-associated cellular plasticity. Her lab's translational insights bridge basic discoveries with clinical applications for cancer prevention and therapy.