The main research interest of my lab is to understand the relationship and signaling crosstalk between inflammation and cancer. Chronic inflammation is a major predisposing factor for many human cancers. Conversely, cancers are often referred to as “wounds that never heal” due to the pro-inflammatory nature of tumor cells which over time, create a fibrostromal milieu that supports tumor cell survival, promotes invasion, subverts host immunity and protects tumor cells against chemotherapeutics or radiation. Understanding the pro-inflammatory mechanism of tumor cells will facilitate development of therapeutics that can halt or even reverse this process to improve treatment outcome.

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Gastrointestinal oncology, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatobiliary cancer, novel therapeutics, clinical trial.

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The lab culture encourages free exploration, and students are welcome to gradually develop their own thinking and strategies. High degrees of motivation and independence are greatly appreciated. On the other hand, the PI is always available for advice or open discussion.

This is an international lab that has students and postdocs from several different countries.  Women and minorities are a large component of the lab and have contributed to a major part of our achievements in the past.