Shawn Goodwin

Dr. Shawn Goodwin serves as an Associate Professor at Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, where his research bridges Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and Biochemistry. His work centers on molecular mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases and substance abuse, with particular emphasis on dopamine transporter dynamics and cancer cell signaling pathways. Affiliated with the Center for Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience, he contributes to Meharry's translational research ecosystem focused on health disparities.

Goodwin's research program integrates cutting-edge optogenetic techniques to investigate dopamine transporter multimerization, trafficking, and lipid raft interactions in addiction models. In cancer biology, he explores tumor immunity mechanisms including CD8+ T cell-NK cell crosstalk and molecular pathways in drug resistance. His neuroscience work examines alpha-synuclein interactions with dopamine transporters in Parkinson's disease contexts, while pharmacological studies address receptor antagonists in prostate cancer progression.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2015-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Neuropharmacology of dopamine transporters using optogenetic tools to manipulate trafficking and function; (2) Cancer immunology focusing on T cell activation mechanisms in tumor microenvironments and adaptive resistance to targeted therapies; (3) Molecular pathways in inflammatory bowel disease and fibrosis. These themes demonstrate consistent translational focus from basic molecular mechanisms to therapeutic applications in addiction and oncology.

As a core faculty member of the Center for Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience, Goodwin collaborates within the Meharry-Vanderbilt-TSU Cancer Partnership and the Clinical & Translational Science Award consortium. His work leverages institutional core facilities including the Animal Care Facility and CRISALIS Center, contributing to Meharry's mission in health disparities research through molecular approaches to neurological and oncological disorders.