Ralf-Peter Czekay

Ralf-Peter Czekay, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Regenerative and Cancer Biology at Albany Medical College. He earned his doctorate from the Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Germany (1991). His laboratory investigates mechanisms of tumor invasion and metastasis, with a focus on ovarian cancer and the plasminogen activation system.

Research interests center on PAI-1's role in regulating tumor microenvironments, vitronectin interactions, and 3D organoid modeling of chemoresistance. Key areas include:

• PAI-1-mediated cell adhesion/deadhesion cycles
• Transmesothelial invasion in ovarian cancer
• Extracellular matrix remodeling in metastasis

His publications consistently explore PAI-1's functions in cancer progression, wound healing, and fibrosis, utilizing molecular and cellular approaches to map signaling pathways like TGF-β and SERPINE1/LRP1.

Dr. Czekay leads a collaborative lab focused on mentorship and innovative models for translational cancer research.