Reuben Shaw

Reuben Shaw, PhD, is a Professor and Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. His research focuses on the interplay between cancer and metabolic diseases, particularly the role of the AMPK pathway in suppressing tumor growth and diabetes. Shaw discovered that the LKB1 tumor suppressor gene activates AMPK, linking cancer and diabetes metabolism. His lab develops therapies targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancers like lung cancer and metabolic disorders.

• Education:
  • B.S. Biology, Cornell University
  • Ph.D. Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School

Shaw’s research integrates cancer biology, metabolism, and drug development. Key areas include:

• Metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells
• Therapeutic potential of diabetes drugs (e.g., metformin) for cancer
• Mitochondrial repair mechanisms
• Lipid synthesis inhibition in non-small cell lung cancer

Scientific Achievements:

• Discovered LKB1-AMPK connection, revolutionizing cancer-metabolism research
• Developed novel therapies targeting fat synthesis (e.g., ND-646)
• Uncovered mitochondrial stress responses and their role in diseases like Parkinson’s

Grants & Collaborations: Shaw collaborates across disciplines at Salk, including metabolism, neuroscience, and plant biology. His work has led to NCI grants and partnerships with institutions like Harvard and MIT.

Labs & Teams: Directs the Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, leading a team exploring metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer and metabolic diseases. Mentors next-generation researchers and fosters collaborative science.