Current Projects

Our lab investigates how epigenomic regulators, including chromatin-modifying enzymes and remodeling complexes, control gene expression programs downstream of oncogenic signaling, shape DNA damage responses, and drive disease progression, with particular interest in pancreatic cancer. Epigenomic-based pharmacology has the potential to serve as a robust tool to improve the future therapeutic efforts. Our laboratory seeks to contribute to the field of experimental therapeutics through harnessing the capacity of cell cycle inhibitors in efforts to not only enhance future use of epigenetic inhibitors, but also translate similar approaches to other genetic-to-epigenetic pathways to control cancer growth.

Leveraging Epigenomics-Based Mechanisms to Inform Therapeutic Strategies in PDAC

KRAS mutations occur in over 90% of PDAC tumors. These mutations are often early events observed in pre-malignant lesions, along with changes to nuclear shape and chromatin organization. Investigation into the driving forces of these changes in epigenetic states may result in more effective personalized therapies.