Marcelo Bento Soares, PhD

Professor and Chair

Dr. Soares has a longstanding interest in the epigenomic translation of environmental factors in cancer development and prevention. One ​facet of this research, in collaboration with Dr. Sergey Malchenko, investigates the role of the microenvironment in the malignant transformation of radial glial cells in a mouse model of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs). In addition, Dr. Soares is committed to the development of collaborative multidisciplinary research programs to uncover and address increased cancer risk resulting from inequities that compromise the overall health and well-being of our communities. Lastly, Dr. Soares is committed to introducing compassion, resilience and emotional awareness training to medical education.

Swapna Asuthkar, PhD

Assistant Professor

Dr. Swapna Asuthkar’s lab is focused on understanding the mechanisms of cancer and identifying potential therapeutic targets with a focus on pediatric and prostate cancer. She has used cutting-edge techniques including CRISPR-based genome editing, proteomics, and imaging to study the underlying mechanisms of cancer. Additionally, Dr. Asuthkar has also been investigating new avenues of research by exploring the potential therapeutic benefits of molecular targeted therapy in combination with biophysics and cancer research. Furthermore, her research on the impact of testosterone on TRPM8 response in brain and animal behavior has provided new understanding of the regulation of TRPM8 in physiological and pathological conditions.

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Ken-ichiro Fukuchi, MD, PhD

Professor

The Fukuchi lab is investigating how the immune system is involved in the etiology and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The lab applies such knowledge to the development of rational immunotherapies for the disease and its prevention and tests their efficacy and safety in animal models.

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Peter Gyarmati, PhD

Assistant Professor

Infections remain one of the greatest challenges and a major cause of mortality in immunosuppressed patients. We study bacteria, fungi and viruses in acute lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia in order to better understand, treat and prevent bloodstream infections. We also investigate the microbiota, its alterations and effects on disease progression and severity. Our main goal is to utilize this knowledge to develop new therapeutic approaches and prognostic factors in childhood leukemia.

Sergey Malchenko, MD, PhD

Visiting Research Associate Professor

One of the goals in the Malchenko lab is to provide a venue for communication and education in the field of stem cell experimental models of human diseases to promote interdisciplinary collaboration. We are motivated by the opportunity to expand interdisciplinary collaborations in exploring a recently developed animal model of Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors.

Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, PhD

Associate Professor of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology
Dr. John and Beverly Henderson Professor in Neuroscience Research

The Veeravalli lab studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neural repair and neurological/functional recovery after gene silencing and/or stem cell transplantation in preclinical animal models of stroke and spinal cord injury.

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Kiran Velpula, PhD

Assistant Professor

The Velpula laboratory is involved with the development of novel gene therapy strategies targeting cancer cell metabolism for the treatment of malignant gliomas. Another area of interest is mechanisms of metastasis and proliferation in medulloblastoma progression. With active clinician involvement, we are focused upon translating these results to new clinical treatments.

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Eleonora Zakharian, PhD

Associate Professor

The Zakharian lab is focused on studying the temperature and pain receptors in context of the sensory nervous system and various cancers. We are interested in the structure-function relationship of TRP channels and their role in tumor development.

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