Laurie Littlepage

Laurie Littlepage is the Campbell Family Associate Professor of Cancer Research at the University of Notre Dame, with appointments in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Harper Cancer Research Institute. Her laboratory investigates how tumors evolve within physiological microenvironments during cancer progression and in response to treatment.

Dr. Littlepage's research focuses on the contributions of epithelium and surrounding stroma/microenvironment to cancer progression and normal tissue development, primarily in the mammary gland and prostate. Her work centers on three major projects: the transcription factor Znf217 in breast cancer progression, MMP3/Stromelysin-1 in mammary tumor development, and matrix metalloproteinases in prostate carcinogenesis. She employs integrated mouse models, genome-wide association studies, and systems biology approaches to understand cancer mechanisms and identify targeted therapies.

Her laboratory has published numerous articles in high-impact journals focusing on cancer biology, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic development. Recent publications examine lymphatic vessel engineering, breast tissue deconvolution, aquaporin inhibitors in breast cancer, and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.

• Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2022)
• CTSI Young Investigator Award (2014)
• American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship (2006-2010)
• Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, NIH (2003-2006)
• NSF Predoctoral Fellowship (1997-2000)

Dr. Littlepage mentors numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduates in her lab while teaching courses including Hallmarks of Cancer and Therapy, Intermediary Metabolism, and Foundations of Chemistry. She is committed to fostering diversity in STEM and has successfully recruited female and underrepresented minority scientists to her research program.