معرفی
M. Raza Zaidi, PhD is an Associate Professor at Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine, with dual appointments in the Department of Cancer and Cellular Biology and the Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine. His research program focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced melanomagenesis, utilizing innovative approaches to study melanocyte biology within their natural skin microenvironment.
Dr. Zaidi's educational background includes:
- PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University (2003)
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (2004)
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH (2012)
- BA in Biological Sciences, Rutgers University (1994)
His primary research interests center on gene-environment-microenvironment interactions in melanomagenesis, with particular focus on how ultraviolet radiation affects melanocyte behavior through both DNA damage and altered gene expression mechanisms. Dr. Zaidi developed the iDct-GFP mouse model, which allows for in vivo imaging and purification of melanocytes, providing a valuable tool for studying melanocyte and melanoma biology within their natural microenvironment. His work explores how UV radiation stimulates intricate interplay between melanocytes and the skin microenvironment, with specific projects investigating interferon-gamma's role in melanoma initiation and the genomic/epigenomic mechanisms of UV-induced melanomagenesis.
Analysis of Dr. Zaidi's publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory since 2006, with recent emphasis on interferon-gamma signaling pathways in melanoma progression, calcium signaling mechanisms in melanoma development, and the complex interactions between melanocytes and their microenvironment following UV exposure. His work spans molecular biology, cancer genetics, immunology, and cellular signaling, demonstrating an interdisciplinary approach to understanding melanoma pathogenesis.
Dr. Zaidi's laboratory research focuses on two primary projects: (1) The role of the microenvironmental cytokine Interferon-gamma in initiation and progression of UV-induced melanoma, and (2) The genomic and epigenomic mechanisms of UV-induced melanomagenesis. His team utilizes advanced genetic models and molecular techniques to tease apart intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms involved in UVR-induced melanomagenesis, with the ultimate goal of identifying key molecular players that could serve as therapeutic targets.
