Alexandre G. Maia

Alexandre G. Maia, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He serves as Senior Associate Consultant II-Research in the Division of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and is the Associate Director of the Epigenomics Program at the Center for Individualized Medicine. Dr. Maia leads the Functional Epigenomics Laboratory, focusing on cutting-edge research in cancer and stem cell biology.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Chromatin Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, University of Coimbra
• Predoctoral Research Fellow, University of California at San Francisco (UCSF)
• B.S. in Aquatic Sciences, ICBAS, University of Porto
• Undergraduate Studies, University of Rome (La Sapienza)

Dr. Maia's research is centered on understanding the epigenomic regulation of cancer stem cells, particularly in ovarian cancer. His work integrates single-cell sequencing technologies such as ATAC-seq and RNA-seq to profile enhancer elements and transcriptional dependencies. He employs advanced model systems including 3D organoids, patient-derived xenografts, and liquid biopsies to study tumor heterogeneity. His lab utilizes CRISPR/Cas9 for functional validation and microfluidic devices for drug combination testing. Bioinformatic analysis of multi-omics data is a key component of his research.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in functional genomics, epigenetics, and personalized cancer therapy. His work spans multiple myeloma, clonal hematopoiesis, post-translational modifications, CAR T cell exhaustion, and personalized drug testing in pancreatic cancer. The recurring themes include single-cell multiomics, enhancer biology, and translational applications in oncology.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Career Enhancement Program Award, Breast SPORE, Mayo Clinic (2022–2024)
• Early-Career Investigator, Ovarian Cancer Academy, U.S. Department of Defense (2021–2025)
• Regenerative Sciences Curriculum Development Award, Mayo Clinic (2020)
• Career Enhancement Program Award, Ovarian SPORE, Mayo Clinic (2019–2020)
• Career Development Award, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (2018)
• NYSCF-Druckenmiller Fellowship (2014–2017)
• Postdoctoral Recognition Award, Icahn School of Medicine (2014)
• Ph.D. Fellowship, Science and Technology Foundation, Portugal (2003–2007)

Dr. Maia has received substantial grant support from prestigious programs including the Department of Defense Breast and Ovarian Cancer SPOREs, and has been recognized with multiple early-career awards. He mentors research trainees and contributes to curriculum development in regenerative sciences. His laboratory actively collaborates across disciplines to advance epigenomic technologies and their clinical applications.

Dr. Maia leads the Functional Epigenomics Laboratory and plays a key role in the Epigenomics Program at the Center for Individualized Medicine. His team integrates wet-lab experimentation with computational biology to develop novel approaches for cancer diagnosis and therapy.