Richard Lin

Richard Lin is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Stony Brook University's Renaissance School of Medicine. He holds an MD from the University of California, San Francisco, 1988, and leads a research laboratory focused on the biology of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinases (PI3Ks).

Dr. Lin received his MD from the University of California, San Francisco in 1988. His educational background has provided the foundation for his dual expertise in both clinical medicine and basic science research, allowing him to bridge translational aspects of his work.

Dr. Lin's research program centers on the physiological functions and pathological roles of PI3Ks, a family of lipid kinases that produce the intracellular second messenger phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. His laboratory actively investigates two primary research areas: the role of PI3K in pancreatic cancer development and progression, and the role of PI3K in regulating cardiac ion channel function. His groundbreaking work revealed that the p110α isoform of PI3K is essential for pancreatic cancer initiation driven by oncogenic Kras. Additionally, his team discovered that downregulation of p110α signaling alters multiple ion currents in cardiac myocytes, leading to QT interval prolongation on ECG. This work has important implications for understanding both cancer biology and cardiac side effects of cancer therapies.

Analysis of Dr. Lin's recent publication record (2019-2025) reveals a sophisticated integration of cancer biology and cardiac electrophysiology research. His work consistently demonstrates how PI3K signaling pathways serve as critical nodes connecting metabolic regulation, tumor development, and cardiac function. A notable trend is his exploration of how tumor-intrinsic PI3K signaling affects immune surveillance in pancreatic cancer, while simultaneously investigating how the same signaling pathways regulate cardiac repolarization. This dual focus has positioned his research at the intersection of oncology and cardiology, with particular relevance to the emerging field of cardio-oncology.

Dr. Lin mentors several graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in his laboratory, including Ya-Ping Jiang, MD; Han Han (Biomedical Engineering PhD student); Chuankai Chen (Genetics PhD student); and Giuseppe Caso, MD, PhD. His research program is supported by multiple grants that enable comprehensive investigations into PI3K signaling across biological systems, though specific funding details are not provided in the available information.

Dr. Lin leads a dynamic research laboratory that employs a diverse array of techniques including molecular biology, cell culture, mouse models of pancreatic cancer and cardiac function, electrophysiology, and biochemical analyses. His team's work has significant translational implications for developing targeted cancer therapies while minimizing cardiac complications, addressing a critical need in modern oncology practice.