Joseph Landolph

Joseph Landolph is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California (USC) within the Keck School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy. He holds joint appointments in the Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Pathology, and Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, with memberships in the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Free Radical Institute.

• Education: BS in Chemistry from Drexel University (1971), PhD in Chemistry (Biophysical and Physical Chemistry) from UC Berkeley (1976).

His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of metal-induced carcinogenesis, particularly nickel and chromium(VI) compounds, examining oncogene activation, tumor suppressor gene inactivation, and global gene expression deregulation in transformed cells. His lab identified 150 differentially expressed genes in nickel-transformed cell lines, including ECT2 proto-oncogene amplification and DRIP80 gene quiescence, and has demonstrated similar effects in human fibroblasts.

Key trends in his publications include metal solubility and valence state effects on carcinogenicity, transformation assays for human risk assessment, and free radical biology in metal-induced oncogenesis. His work spans molecular biology, toxicology, and environmental health disciplines.

• Scientific Awards: Merck Award in Chemistry (Drexel), American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship (1977-1979), ACS Postdoctoral Fellowship, Edmundson Teaching Award (USC).

Dr. Landolph has trained over 180 students and postdoctoral fellows across academic levels, reviewed grants for EPA, NIEHS, and NIH, and held research grants from NCI, EPA, and NIEHS. He actively contributed to regulatory committees, including the California EPA Carcinogen Identification Committee (1994-present) and NIH study sections.