Dhan V. Kalvakolanu

Dhan V. Kalvakolanu is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore since 2005, with prior faculty appointments as Associate Professor (1998-2004) and Assistant Professor (1994-1997) at the same institution. His research focuses on tumor suppressors, cytokines, apoptosis, autophagy, and transcriptional regulation in cancer biology.

Education:

• B.S. in Biology & Chemistry, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India (1979)
• M.S. in Microbiology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India (1981)
• Ph.D. in Tumor Virology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India (1988)
• Post-doctoral training in Molecular Virology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA (1988-1989)
• Research Associate in Interferons and Viruses, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH (1989-1992)

Dr. Kalvakolanu's research centers on tumor suppressor genes, particularly GRIM-19, and their roles in STAT3 signaling, apoptosis, and autophagy. He investigates how loss of GRIM-19 leads to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments through cytokine upregulation and promotes cancer progression. His work also explores novel cytokine signaling pathways, including non-JAK-STAT pathways involving ATF6 and ASK1, and their impact on autophagy and tumor suppression.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on GRIM-19 interactions with STAT3 in oncogenesis, DAPK1 regulation in autophagy, and innovative gene therapy approaches using siRNA and bacterial vectors (e.g., attenuated Salmonella) for targeted cancer treatment across prostate, cervical, and liver cancers.

Scientific Awards:

• Visiting Professor, University of Science and Technology, Hefei, PR China (2006-2009, 2010, 2014)
• Visiting Professor, Tongji Medical College and Hospital, Wuhan, PR China (2006-2014)
• Visiting Professor, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, PR China (2013-present)
• Foreign Member, AP academy of sciences, India

Information on grants and advising is not provided in the source text.

His laboratory has developed gene therapy delivery strategies for suppressing oncogenic transcription factors (e.g., STAT3) and promoting tumor suppressor expression in vivo, including a cod-derived glycopeptide that blocks Galectin-3 mediated T-cell apoptosis to inhibit prostate cancer metastasis.