Abdi Ghaffari

Abdi Ghaffari serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine within the School of Medicine at Queen's University. His academic role is focused on advancing research in cancer biology, particularly in the areas of metastasis and molecular mechanisms underlying tumor progression.

Dr. Ghaffari's research interests center on cancer metastasis, tumor growth, biomarkers, and molecular medicine. He has made significant contributions to understanding the role of cytoskeletal proteins, especially ezrin, in breast cancer metastasis. His work explores how ezrin inhibition can impede cancer cell migration and lymph node metastasis, and he has also investigated novel therapeutic approaches using nitric oxide for treating infections such as Mycobacterium abscessus in cystic fibrosis patients. His expertise spans molecular target identification, biomarker validation, and therapeutic development for solid tumors.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on breast cancer metastasis, with a focus on molecular targets like ezrin and pTEN. His research also extends to ovarian cancer and the development of combination therapies involving STING agonists and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Additionally, his work on nitric oxide therapy demonstrates a cross-disciplinary approach between oncology and infectious disease, highlighting potential new treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.

Dr. Ghaffari is actively associated with the Queen's Laboratory for Molecular Pathology (QLMP), where he contributes to collaborative research efforts aimed at identifying molecular targets for cancer therapy and developing novel therapeutic strategies.