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BMB PhD Program Research Themes

Translational Research

The ultimate goal of much of the research by our faculty is to translate findings about basic cellular and molecular mechanisms into new approaches to detect, prevent, or treat disease. A number of our cancer research faculty in particular are actively engaged in clinical trials designed to test new approaches to treat cancer. 

The faculty below have a particular focus in this area. For other major themes, visit our program scope page.

Fred Bunz

Fred Bunz

Stress-activated pathways and anti-cancer therapies

Danfeng Cai

Danfeng (Dani) Cai

Imaging transcription and cellular organization

Michael Caterina

Michael Caterina

Molecules and cells that drive chronic pain

Chi Van Dang

Chi Van Dang

Oncogenic alteration of metabolism and immunity

Jennifer Elisseeff

Jennifer Elisseeff

Leveraging adaptive immunity for tissue repair

Andrew Ewald

Andrew J. Ewald

Cellular and molecular basis of cancer metastasis

Rachel Green

Rachel Green

Ribosome function in protein synthesis and signaling

Elizabeth Jaffee

Elizabeth Jaffee

Pancreatic cancer vaccines and interception

Brittany Jenkins-Lord

Brittany Jenkins-Lord

Molecular consequences of cancer disparities

Ken Kinzler

Kenneth Kinzler

Cancer genetics to improve detection & treatment

Marikki Laiho

Marikki Laiho

Targeting cancer transcriptional programs

Jun Liu

Jun O. Liu

Design and synthesis of novel macrocycle libraries

Alan Meeker

Alan Meeker

Telomere biology and maintenance in cancer

Utthara Nayar

Utthara Nayar

Targeting resistant breast and ovarian cancer

Kenneth Pienta

Kenneth J. Pienta

Utilizing ecologic principles to study cancer lethality

Vito Rebecca

Vito Rebecca

Cancer metastasis, therapy resistance, health disparities 

Cynthia Sears

Cynthia L. Sears

Mechanisms of microbiota, microbiome, and cancer

Dipali Sharma

Dipali Sharma

Cancer: microbial dysbiosis, racial disparities & obesity

Kellie Smith

Kellie N. Smith

Unlocking the power of tumor-specific T cells

Eneda Toska

Eneda Toska

Epigenetic regulation & therapy response in cancer

Fengyi Wan

Fengyi Wan

Investigating colonic health and diseases

Jiou Wang

Jiou Wang

Protein & RNA homeostasis in neurodegeneration

Denis Wirtz

Denis Wirtz

New cell therapies for cancer and auto-immune diseases

Neeha Zaidi

Neeha Zaidi

Developing vaccines to treat & prevent pancreatic cancer