Janet V. Cross

Janet V. Cross, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Virginia Health System (UVA Health). Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cancer chemoprevention and the anti-inflammatory benefits of dietary nutrient compounds, particularly isothiocyanates found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli.

Her work investigates how bioactive nutrients interact with cellular proteins to prevent tumor development and modulate inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Using proteomics and in vitro models, she explores the role of isothiocyanates in signal transduction, apoptosis, and inflammation, linking these processes to cancer risk and therapeutic targets.

Publications highlight her contributions to understanding how dietary compounds affect pathogenesis, including studies on Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis, air pollution's impact on brain immunity, and the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in tumor progression. Her research bridges nutritional biochemistry and pathology, emphasizing the intersection of inflammation and cancer chemoprevention.