معرفی
Denise Connolly, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Director of the Biosample Repository Facility at Fox Chase Cancer Center, affiliated with the Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment (CSM) program and the Greenberg Pancreatic Cancer Institute. Her research focuses on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), particularly the molecular mechanisms of metastasis, development of transgenic and patient-derived mouse models, and targeted therapeutic strategies to inhibit cancer spread.
Education:
- PhD in Microbiology, Miami University, 1989
- MS in Microbiology, Miami University, 1986
- BA in Biology, Postdam College, 1984
- Postdoctoral Training in Molecular Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, 1998
- Postdoctoral Training in Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 1995
Research Interests: Dr. Connolly’s work centers on understanding how ovarian cancer cells disseminate in the peritoneal cavity. Her lab uses in vitro and in vivo models to study cell migration, attachment, and invasion pathways. Key areas include the development of small animal imaging technologies (e.g., FMT/MRI) and identifying molecular targets for therapy.
Publication Trends: Her recent publications (2024–2020) reflect a strong focus on tumor microenvironment interactions, chemoresistance mechanisms (e.g., FAK signaling), liquid biopsy applications, immunotherapy targets (e.g., FSH receptor), and large-scale genomic studies in kidney and ovarian cancers. Collaborative work spans cancer genomics, molecular imaging, and translational oncology.
Scientific Awards:
- Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation Trailblazer Award
- Society of Gynecologic Oncologists Basic Science Award
- NIH Tumor Biology Trainee Graduate Enrichment Fund Award
- Orton K. Stark Award for Academic Excellence in Microbiology
- New York State Board of Regents Scholarship
Advising and Grants: Dr. Connolly mentors graduate students and visiting scientists, including Rashid Gabbasov and Hui Zhang. She leads the Biosample Repository Facility, supporting cancer research through high-quality biospecimen management. Her work is supported by institutional and external funding, evidenced by her active research output and participation in national collaborations.
Labs and Teams: She leads the Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment lab at Fox Chase, where her team develops and utilizes transgenic mouse models of ovarian cancer. She is also involved in the Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship and research volunteering programs, fostering early-career development in cancer research.
