Gopal Iyer

Gopal Iyer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Oncology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where his research focuses on molecular mechanisms of lung and pancreatic cancer metastasis using biophysical, optical imaging, and computational approaches. His lab bridges physics, chemistry, and biology to develop tailored cancer treatments through genomic analyses and 3D tissue modeling.

Education:

• Postdoc, University of California, Los Angeles & Stanford University, Biophysics (2011)
• PhD, University of California, Berkeley & M.S. University of Baroda, India, Microbiology (2004)
• MS, M.S. University of Baroda, India, Biotechnology (1990)
• BS, M.S. University of Baroda, India, Chemistry, Botany (1988)

Dr. Iyer's work centers on epigenetic and phosphorylation processes driving cancer progression, with major projects investigating androgen receptor signaling in lung cancer, lung-brain metastasis genomics, and BET protein inhibition in solid tumors. His multidisciplinary approach combines CRISPR models, optical imaging, and patient-derived genomic data to unravel resistance mechanisms in lung, pancreatic, and head/neck cancers, aiming to translate findings into personalized therapies that improve survival outcomes.

Recent publications (2015-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on metastasis genomics and therapeutic resistance, with increasing emphasis on brain metastasis signatures, BET inhibition heterogeneity, and radiosensitization strategies. Collaborations with radiation oncologists, pathologists, and biomedical engineers (including Tufts University) enable integration of clinical data with molecular analyses.

Scientific Awards:

• Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship (1997-2000)
• Council of Scientific Industrial Research Scholarship (CSIR-INDIA) (1997-2000)
• Department of Biotechnology Scholarship from Government of India for M.Sc Program (1988-1990)

Dr. Iyer mentors undergraduate, graduate, and medical students in a collaborative environment, training the next generation of cancer researchers through hands-on work with cell lines, tissue slices, and mouse models. His research is supported by projects on 3D lung tissue scaffolds (with David Beebe and David Kaplan) and genomic sequencing of 70+ matched lung cancer patients, fostering translational work that connects lab discoveries with clinical applications.

The Iyer Lab operates within the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, utilizing advanced optical imaging and computational tools to study spatiotemporal signaling dynamics during metastasis. Current efforts include building silk-scaffold lung models and investigating AR-MAF-IL6 signaling axes to reduce cancer-related inflammation.