Stuart S. Martin

Stuart S. Martin, PhD is a Professor and the Drs. Angela and Harry Brodie Professor of Translational Cancer Research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He serves as Interim Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Deputy Director of the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC). Additionally, Dr. Martin co-leads the Hormone-Related Cancers (HRC) program, which comprises 45 investigator labs focused on breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers.

Dr. Martin's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California-San Diego, with a focus on insulin-stimulated rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton
• Postdoctoral training in Dr. Phil Leder's lab at Harvard Medical School, studying how cell shape and the actin cytoskeleton influence cell survival
• Joined the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2004 as an Assistant Professor

Dr. Martin's research primarily focuses on cancer metastasis, particularly in breast cancer. His laboratory investigates how epithelial cells undergo apoptosis following detachment from the extracellular matrix and how metastatic breast tumor cells evade this cell death. A significant portion of his work centers on microtentacles - tubulin-based protrusions that form in detached tumor cells and promote metastasis by enhancing cell reattachment. His research integrates functional genomics, proteomics, and in vivo tumor imaging to identify metastasis-enhancing genes and understand their mechanisms.

His most recent publications (2019-2021) demonstrate a continued focus on microtentacles and their role in cancer metastasis, with increasing incorporation of bioengineering approaches like microfluidics and novel cell capture technologies. His work bridges basic cell biology with translational applications, particularly in circulating tumor cell analysis and cancer diagnostics. A notable trend is the expansion from breast cancer to other cancer types like glioblastoma, suggesting broader applicability of his findings.

Dr. Martin has received significant recognition for his work, including:

• The Drs. Angela and Harry Brodie Endowed Professorship in Translational Cancer Research (2020)

As co-leader of the Hormone-Related Cancers program, Dr. Martin oversees a collaborative network of 45 investigator labs. His laboratory has established innovative methodologies for studying circulating tumor cells and metastasis, including the development of the TetherChip technology for microtentacle fixation and analysis. His work has implications for identifying patients at higher risk of metastasis and developing interventions to prevent cancer spread.

The Martin Laboratory, located at 655 W. Baltimore Street in the Bressler Research Building, is actively engaged in research on cancer cell mechanics, metastasis, and novel diagnostic approaches. The lab maintains a strong collaborative presence within the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center and partners with researchers across multiple disciplines including bioengineering, oncology, and cell biology.