Rana Abdel-Samad

Rana Abdel-Samad is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Saint Mary's College, located in Notre Dame, Indiana. She holds a PhD from the Institute of Functional Genomics and University of Montpellier II, France, and a BA from Saint-Joseph University in Lebanon. Her research focuses on cancer biology, particularly the anti-cancer mechanisms of retinoid molecules and synthetic compounds in colorectal cancer, as well as the role of transcription factors like SOX9 in tumor progression.

Education:

• PhD, Institute of Functional Genomics and University of Montpellier II, France
• BA, Saint-Joseph University, Lebanon

Research Interests: Dr. Abdel-Samad investigates cancer cell biology through projects such as the anti-proliferative effects of retinoids (e.g., ST1926) and novel inhibitors targeting HDAC11 and DNA polymerase α. She explores how these compounds disrupt cancer stem cells and induce DNA damage in tumors. Her work also examines the functional roles of SOX9 and its variants in colorectal cancer progression, linking transcriptional regulation to cellular differentiation and tumorigenesis.

Recent Work Trends: Her publications emphasize drug discovery for colorectal, breast, and leukemia cancers, with a focus on overcoming chemotherapy resistance via combination therapies and nanoparticle drug delivery systems. She has demonstrated the efficacy of ST1926 in targeting cancer stem cells across multiple models.

Grants & Advising: While specific grants or student advisees are not listed, her research program reflects sustained engagement with preclinical drug testing and collaborative efforts in cancer biology. Courses taught include Microbiology, Global Infectious Diseases, and lab-based coursework.

Labs & Teams: Her work is conducted in Saint Mary's Biology Department labs, contributing to interdisciplinary cancer research initiatives involving cell culture, molecular biology, and pharmacology.