Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology

Faculty Labs

The Andreassen Research Lab studies DNA damage response pathways—particularly FA‑BRCA–mediated checkpoint signaling and homologous recombination—to understand genome stability, cancer prevention, and to develop improved therapeutic and genome‑editing strategies.

The Boscolo Research Lab models vascular anomalies using patient‑derived endothelial cells and genetically engineered mice to uncover key genes and signaling pathways driving abnormal blood and lymphatic vessel formation and to translate these discoveries into targeted therapies for affected patients.

The Chlon Lab investigates how inherited mutations—particularly in the gene DDX41—disrupt blood cell development and predispose individuals to myelodysplastic syndrome and leukemia, with the goal of uncovering disease mechanisms and developing targeted therapies beyond bone marrow transplantation.

The Jones laboratory focuses on eliminating acute myeloid leukemia relapse by uncovering and therapeutically targeting the unique metabolic dependencies of leukemia stem cells that sustain disease persistence and resistance to treatment.

The Filippi Research Lab explores the cellular and molecular signaling mechanisms—particularly Rho GTPase–mediated pathways—that regulate hematopoietic stem cell function, neutrophil migration, and immune cell behavior to inform new therapies for blood and immunological disorders.

Grimes Lab's goal is to provide fundamental biological and molecular insight into these diseases, and to illustrate new avenues to therapeutic intervention.

The Kalfa Lab studies signaling within the erythroid progenitor and precursor cells during erythropoiesis, as well as in mature red blood cells.

The Lucas Research Lab investigates how the bone marrow senses and responds to its environment to regulate hematopoietic stem cells and blood cell production in health and disease.

The Miles Lab studies the stepwise genetic and cellular evolution of acute myeloid leukemia to uncover how mutation combinations drive disease and reveal personalized therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Pan Research Lab focuses on integrating basic and translational gene transfer research to develop innovative cell- and gene-based therapies—particularly for neuropathic mucopolysaccharidoses—by overcoming blood–brain barrier challenges using advanced stem cell and molecular technologies.

Our lab works to uncover and target novel molecular drivers of breast cancer—particularly the DEK oncogene—by combining advanced model systems, patient samples, and preclinical therapeutics to improve biomarkers, treatments, and survival outcomes.

The Ratner Research Lab investigates how glial cell–axon interactions shape nervous system development and disease, with a particular focus on uncovering the mechanisms underlying NF1- and NF2-associated nerve tumors to inform new therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders and cancer.

The Robinson Lab Research investigates how neural circuits governing motivation, reward, and attention are disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders—particularly neurofibromatosis type 1—using cutting-edge molecular, imaging, and gene therapy approaches to advance treatments for pediatric brain diseases.

The Starczynowski Research Lab focuses on uncovering the molecular and genetic drivers of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia to identify key disease pathways and enable the development of novel therapies for patients with myeloid malignancies.

Our lab aims to advance our understanding of both HPV-related and -unrelated squamous cell carcinoma development, and to develop new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of HPV as a major cause of cancer worldwide.

The research activities of Dr. Yi Zheng’s laboratory focus on studies of the physiological and pathological function and the mechanism of regulation of Rho family GTP-binding proteins.