Roderick H. Dashwood

Roderick H. Dashwood is a University Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention (CEDP) at Texas A&M University College of Medicine, holding the John S. Dunn Chair in Disease Prevention. He has affiliate faculty roles with the Department of Nutrition and MD Anderson Cancer Center. His career spans faculty positions at University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Director of the Cancer Chemoprotection Program at Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute, and his current leadership role at Texas A&M HEALTH.

Dr. Dashwood earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences (Cellular Toxicology) from the University of Plymouth (1982), M.S. in Toxicology from the University of Surrey (1983), and Ph.D. in Genetic Toxicology/Carcinogenesis from the University of Portsmouth and ICI Central Toxicology Laboratory (1986), followed by postdoctoral training at Oregon State University (1986-1990).

His research integrates multiomic, genetic, epigenetic and immune approaches for precision oncology, with current mechanistic focus on epigenetic readers, writers and erasers that regulate immune players in the antigen presentation pathway. His laboratory combines molecular and cell-based assays with preclinical models coupled to polypectomy, using clinical specimens and organoids from patients undergoing colectomy for human translation. Analysis of his publication history reveals consistent focus on epigenetic mechanisms in cancer, particularly how dietary compounds influence histone modifications and gene expression in gastrointestinal malignancies, with recent work expanding into immune regulation and antigen presentation pathways.

Dr. Dashwood has received significant recognition including Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, University of Hawaiʻi Regents' Medals for Excellence in both Teaching and Research, and the Rice University Biosciences & Bioengineering Medical Innovation Award. His research is supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/National Institute on Aging (NINDS/NIA), and the John S. Dunn Foundation.

As Director of the Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, he leads a multidisciplinary research team investigating how epigenetic mechanisms can be targeted for cancer interception and prevention, with particular emphasis on translating basic science discoveries into clinical applications for gastrointestinal cancers.