Analisa DiFeo

Analisa DiFeo, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School. Her research program, based at Michigan Medicine, focuses on molecular mechanisms of ovarian cancer development and progression through interdisciplinary collaboration within the university's extensive research ecosystem.

Dr. DiFeo's laboratory investigates microRNA regulation and gene expression in ovarian tumor biology using integrated in vitro and in vivo approaches. Her research spans molecular oncology, cancer signaling pathways, and tumor microenvironment interactions, with particular emphasis on PP2A signaling, miR-181a function, and mechanisms of platinum resistance in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Her team develops patient-derived models and mouse systems to dissect oncogenic processes and identify therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) reveals consistent focus on gynecologic cancers, especially ovarian and uterine malignancies. Key research themes include PP2A tumor suppressor reactivation, miRNA-driven oncogenesis, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting molecular dependencies in treatment-resistant disease. Her work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with translational applications.

Dr. DiFeo actively mentors students in her laboratory, emphasizing hands-on training in molecular biology techniques, cancer genetics, and mouse modeling. She encourages passionate students to seek research opportunities through direct inquiry, providing comprehensive training in wet lab methodologies, tissue culture, and development of patient-derived cancer models. Her lab fosters collaborative problem-solving for complex oncology challenges.

The DiFeo Laboratory operates within the Center for RNA Biomedicine at the University of Michigan, leveraging institutional resources for RNA-focused cancer research. Her team collaborates across disciplines to investigate microRNA functions in tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance, utilizing advanced models including tumoroids and genetically engineered systems to mimic clinical disease phenotypes.