معرفی
Shannon Elf serves as Associate Professor of Internal Medicine in the Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies division at the University of Utah School of Medicine, with an adjunct appointment in Oncological Sciences. Her research program investigates molecular mechanisms driving myeloid blood cancers, particularly myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), with emphasis on calreticulin (CALR) mutation biology and therapeutic targeting of MPN stem cells.
Her academic background includes:
- A.B. degree from Bowdoin College
- Ph.D. from Emory University
Dr. Elf's laboratory focuses on differential exploitation of cellular pathways by CALR mutations: Type 1 mutations cause calcium-binding loss leading to IRE1α/XBP1 dependency and glycolytic metabolic reprogramming, while Type 2 mutations induce chaperone dysfunction activating ATF6 pathways and impairing immune surveillance. This work aims to identify molecular dependencies for eradicating MPN stem cells while sparing normal hematopoietic cells, with significant implications for curative therapies. Her research integrates calcium signaling, ER stress responses, and metabolic regulation within malignant hematopoiesis.
Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals consistent emphasis on CALR-mutant MPNs, with growing exploration of therapeutic modalities including PROTAC technology against BCL-xL, calcium homeostasis mechanisms (AHCYL1/NRAS), and metabolic vulnerabilities. The work spans molecular characterization, preclinical modeling, and translational applications, demonstrating an evolving trajectory toward targetable pathways in MPN stem cells.
She maintains an active research laboratory at the University of Utah, as evidenced by ongoing publications and dedicated lab resources. Her work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with clinical translation in hematologic malignancies, leveraging calcium signaling and metabolic pathways as therapeutic entry points.
