David Foster

David Foster is the Rosalyn S. Yalow Professor of Biological Sciences at Hunter College, City University of New York, where he conducts groundbreaking research on cancer biology and cellular metabolism. His work primarily focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer cell survival and proliferation, with particular emphasis on phospholipase D signaling and mTOR pathway regulation.

Dr. Foster received his AB from the University of California, Berkeley in 1976, followed by an MA and PhD from Columbia University in 1978 and 1982 respectively. He completed his postdoctoral training at The Rockefeller University from 1982-1986. This strong foundation in molecular biology and biochemistry has enabled his decades-long research career focused on cancer mechanisms.

His research interests center on cancer biology, particularly the promotion of cancer cell survival through phosphatidic acid (PA) metabolism and the metabolic control of cell cycle progression. Dr. Foster's lab has made significant contributions to understanding how PA activates mTOR, a critical signaling node in human cancer, and how KRas-driven cancer cells override normal metabolic checkpoints. His work has revealed important metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes.

Analysis of his recent publications shows a consistent focus on mTOR signaling, metabolic regulation in cancer, and identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities in KRas-driven cancers. His research demonstrates how cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to support uncontrolled growth and how these adaptations create specific weaknesses that can be targeted with precision therapies.

Dr. Foster maintains an active research program through the Foster Lab, where he investigates the intersection of dysregulated cell cycle progression and phospholipase D metabolism at the mTOR signaling node. His work bridges fundamental molecular mechanisms with potential clinical applications in cancer treatment.