Research Projects

Trainee’s Projects

2024-2025

  • T. Hess, MD: Identifying the role of NRF2 in non-small cell lung cancer differentiation and treatment
  • Rachel Nation, MD: Development of a murine model to investigate epigenetic and immunomodulatory treatments in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
  • Hannah Sofield, MD: Targeting activated kinases (SRC/MET) in CDH1-deficient diffuse gastric cancer
  • Gena Topper, MD: Intraperitoneal epigenetic drug perfusion for colorectal cancer-associated peritoneal carcinomatosis
  • Chelsea Katz, MD: The resistance to chemotherapy in high-grade serous ovarian cancer and the role of NRF2
  • Zachary Ladd, MS: Development of NRF2Mut inhibitors for NRF2Mut esophageal cancer

2023-2024

  • Matthew Moccia, MD: Epigenetic therapy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET)
  • Hansa Joshi, MD: Identification of Molecular Pathways Associated with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Subtype Switching after Treatment
  • Yazid Khalil Mo Ghanem, MD: Intraperitoneal epigenetic drug perfusion for colon cancer-associated peritoneal carcinomatosis
  • Helen Toma, MD: Chemotherapy Resistance in Ovarian Cancer and the Role of NRF2
  • Zena Saleh, MD: Epigenetic alterations are associated with gene silencing and immune infiltration in human PNET
  • Zachary Ladd, BS: Development of novel NRF2 inhibitors

Faculty/Staff Projects

  • Tao Gao, PhD: Chemo- and radio-sensitization of NRF2Mut cancer with molecular glue
  • Weam Elbezanti, PharmB, MS, PhD:
    • Epigenetic treatments and their effects on tumor microenvironment 
    • Intraperitoneal epigenetic drug perfusion for colon cancer-associated peritoneal carcinomatosis
    • The effect of histotripsy on immune activation and cancer eradication
  • Samera Hamad, PhD
    • The Role of NRF2 in the Development of Lung Cancer Subtypes.
    • Identification of Molecular Pathways Associated with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Subtype Switching after Treatment.
    • Chemotherapy Resistance in Ovarian Cancer and The Role of NRF2.
  • Boopathi Subramaniyan, M.Phil, PhD: NRF2-responsive kinase in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
  • Huan Li, PhD: Chemo- and radio-sensitization of cancer cells
  • Yahui Li, MS: Lymphatic metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
  • Xiaoxin Luke Chen, MD, PhD: NRF2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and alcohol-associated esophageal pathology
  • Young Hong, MD:
    • Epigenetic therapy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET)
    • HIPEC with epigenetic drugs for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer
  • Francis Spitz, MD:
    • NRF2 activation in lung and head & neck cancer