Adrienne Cox

Adrienne Cox, PhD, is a Professor and Vice Chair for Faculty Development in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also a Professor of Pharmacology and a member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she contributes to cancer research through molecular studies of small GTPases.

• Lipid modification of proteins
• Signal transduction pathways
• Protein function of Ras family oncogenes
• Subcellular localization of small GTPases
• Radiation responsiveness in cancer cells

Dr. Cox’s research explores the molecular mechanisms of cancer biology, focusing on the Ras superfamily of small GTPases. These proteins regulate cellular processes—such as proliferation, invasion, motility, and death—via cycles of GTP/GDP binding and interactions with specific membrane regions. Her lab investigates how lipid modifications (e.g., farnesylation via farnesyl transferase) anchor Ras proteins to membranes and how inhibitors of this process (FTIs) could serve as anticancer agents. Additionally, she studies Rho family proteins, including their roles in the actin cytoskeleton and gene expression, and examines the effects of Ras and R-Ras on cellular responses to ionizing radiation. Her work aims to develop novel radiosensitizers that enhance cancer therapy efficacy by modulating survival pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt, EGFR ligands) and differential regulation of reactive oxygen species.

Dr. Cox’s laboratory at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center bridges basic science and translational research, focusing on oncogene-driven cancer mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. She holds dual appointments in Radiation Oncology and Pharmacology, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration in cancer biology.