Dawn Quelle

Dawn Quelle, PhD, is a Professor of Neuroscience and Pharmacology and Professor of Pathology at the University of Iowa. She leads the Quelle Laboratory and is affiliated with the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Neuroendocrine Tumor SPORE Center, and multiple graduate programs including Biomedical Science (Cancer Biology) and Medical Scientist Training Program.

• BS in Biochemistry, University of Maine, Orono
• PhD in Molecular & Cell Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park
• Postdoctoral Fellow, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Her research focuses on translational oncology for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). She investigates druggable cell cycle regulators (CDKs, RB1, ARF, p53), mitogenic pathways (AKT), and immune checkpoint sensitization in "cold" tumors. Collaborations span basic science, clinical oncology, bioinformatics, and comparative pathology.

Recent publications highlight her work on CDK4/6-MEK-PD-L1 combination therapies for MPNSTs, GLP-1R agonists in NET proliferation, and RABL6A's role in tumor angiogenesis. Her lab develops mouse and pig cancer models for interdisciplinary therapeutic testing, including histone deacetylase inhibitors and serotonin biosynthesis suppression strategies.

• Selected for 2025 Research Retreat abstract submission

Dr. Quelle's program emphasizes collaborative translational research with oncologists, pathologists, and bioinformaticians. Her work addresses therapy resistance in NETs and lack of effective MPNST treatments, utilizing functional genomics and plasma cell infiltration as immune activation markers.

Labs: Quelle Laboratory at University of Iowa