Zeynep Madak Erdogan

Zeynep Madak Erdogan is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois, holding roles in multiple departments including Food Science and Human Nutrition, Nutritional Sciences, and Biomedical and Translational Sciences. She also serves as the Associate Dean of the Graduate College and the Sylvia D. Stroup Scholar. Her affiliations span institutions like the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), and the Cancer Center at Illinois. Her research focuses on breast cancer metabolism, estrogen signaling, environmental toxins (e.g., PFAS), and nutritional interventions to combat disease.

Her work integrates molecular biology, computational tools, and clinical insights to address disparities in cancer outcomes, particularly in hormone-related cancers. Notable contributions include studies on metabolic vulnerabilities in endocrine-resistant tumors and the effects of perfluoroalkyl substances on human health. She has received prestigious awards such as the Endocrine Society Early Investigator Award (2015) and the Michael B. Kastan Award (2024).

• Education: Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences (not explicitly stated but implied through roles).
• Labs/Teams: Personalized Nutrition Initiative, Center for Digital Agriculture.
• Grants/Advising: Leads interdisciplinary projects on cancer metabolism and environmental health; mentors early-career faculty through programs like NR Impact.

Her research also extends to public health initiatives, linking environmental stressors (e.g., neighborhood violence) to cancer progression and exploring dietary strategies to improve cancer therapy efficacy.