Gavin Robertson

Gavin Robertson is a Professor at the Penn State College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, with primary appointment in the Department of Molecular and Precision Medicine and secondary appointments in Dermatology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Surgery. He directs the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center, Penn State Melanoma Therapeutics Program, and Foreman Foundation Melanoma Research Laboratory.

His research program focuses on malignant melanoma, aiming to unravel disease biology and signaling pathways for next-generation therapeutics. Key initiatives include:

• Identification of melanoma-causing genes (e.g., Akt3 in 70% of human melanomas)
• Drug discovery through screening and medicinal chemistry (e.g., ISC-4 targeting Akt3)
• Nanotechnology for drug delivery (e.g., nanoliposomes and ultrasound for siRNA)
• Clinical evaluation of novel agents (e.g., CADI-5 in trials)

Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on telomerase biology in acral melanoma, p53-mediated immunity modulation, aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors, and targeting drug-tolerant persister cells, reflecting a translational bench-to-bedside approach across multiple biological pathways.

Dr. Robertson has secured significant National Cancer Institute funding through six major grants:

• Targeting Aldehyde Dehydrogenase for Cancer Prevention (2020-2024)
• Targeted Chemoprevention for Melanoma (2010-2015)
• Synergistically Acting Targeted Therapeutics for Melanoma (2010-2015)
• Akt3 Signaling as a Therapeutic Target (2007-2013)
• Targeted Chemoprevention Through Inhibition of Akt3 Signaling (2007-2010)

The Foreman Foundation Melanoma Research Laboratory serves as his primary research hub, integrating genetic, pharmacological, and nanotechnology approaches to advance melanoma therapeutics and contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being).