Investigators

Summary

Dr. Falo is actively involved in a variety of research projects focused on the prevention and treatment of melanoma and skin cancers, and has research expertise in the areas of cutaneous drug delivery, radioprotection, immunobiology, vaccine design, antigen processing and presentation, dendritic cell biology, and molecular immunobiology and immunotherapy.

Summary

The research in the laboratory of Dr. Fernandez focuses on improving cancer treatment and patient outcomes through various areas: Investigating drug-induced immunogenicity and liver injury. Developing targeted agents for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Preventing capecitabine-induced hand-foot syndrome. Studying the role of the NFAT transcription factor on immune cells. The Fernandez lab aims to enhance treatment outcomes by understanding complex biological processes using pharmacogenomic approaches. Our work includes addressing the immunogenicity of protein-based therapeutics, studying…

Summary

The long-standing interests of our laboratory center on identifying specific mechanisms of human anti-tumor immunity and cancer immunosurveillance. We study T cell and antibody repertoire in cancer patients and in healthy individuals at risk for cancer and factors that influence that repertoire. We were the first to identify a human tumor antigen recognized by human T cells and antibodies, the epithelial mucin MUC1. We showed that tumors express an abnormal form of MUC1 that is recognized by the immune system as a foreign rather than a self-antigen. Studies in mice and primates…

Summary

Our research is directed toward developing fundamentally new transformations and highlighting their utility for complex molecule synthesis.

Summary

I am a researcher focusing on improving treatments for patients with breast cancer through complementing clinical care with robust clinical investigation and translational research. My specific focus is on estrogen positive breast cancers and in particular, invasive lobular breast cancers, and elucidating the unique clinical and biological characteristics of this often-understudied breast cancer subtype. I aim to develop novel methods to evaluate patients with lobular breast cancers and follow their treatment response, and I also aim to leverage information from patients – such as patient…

Summary

The overarching goal of my research is to understand the cellular mechanisms that lead to genome instability. We particularly study how exposure to environmental agents can trigger DNA damage and instability at telomeres and centromeres, the most vulnerable regions of the genome. In this context, we focus on defining the roles of the DNA repair proteins ADP-Ribose transferase enzymes (ARTs/PARPs) in orchestrating the maintenance of telomere and centromere integrity. These enzymes are key components of the DNA damage response and are primary targets in cancer therapies. However, resistance to…

Summary

Bruce Freeman, PhD is a biochemist and pharmacologist who investigates eukaryotic cell production and actions of chemically-reactive inflammatory and signal transduction mediators (e.g., superoxide, nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, electrophilic lipids). He is presently the Irwin Fridovich Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicin. He, is a founding member of the Vascular Medicine Institute and a member of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. His laboratory team has made…