I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell and Cancer Biology at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, where I lead an independent and expanding research program focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, and treatment failure. My research integrates molecular and cellular biology with translational cancer research, with particular emphasis on DSTYK-mediated signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity, chemoresistance, and engineered exosome-based therapeutic delivery. The overarching goal of my research program is to uncover actionable molecular mechanisms that drive disease progression and translate these discoveries into innovative therapeutic strategies that improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

I earned my Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Wayne State University and subsequently completed postdoctoral training in Cancer Biology at Cleveland Clinic. Before joining The University of Toledo in 2024, I held research and faculty positions at Cleveland Clinic, the Medical University of South Carolina, and East Tennessee State University. Through these appointments, I progressively established a distinct and independent research program that bridges fundamental cancer biology with therapeutic development, while building a sustained record of scholarly productivity, extramural funding, and contributions to biomedical research and education.

A major focus of my laboratory is triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive malignancy associated with limited targeted treatment options and a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. Our research has established DSTYK as an important regulator of tumor cell plasticity, metastatic progression, and chemotherapy resistance. Building on these findings, my laboratory is investigating DSTYK-directed therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance mechanisms and enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy. This research is currently supported by a National Cancer Institute (NCI) R01 award focused on improving chemotherapy efficacy in TNBC, representing approximately $1.8 million in total costs. This substantial federal investment provides a strong foundation for advancing our mechanistic discoveries, expanding our translational investigations, and developing therapeutic approaches with the potential to improve cancer treatment outcomes.

In parallel, my laboratory is expanding its research into engineered exosome-based therapeutic delivery and nucleic acid delivery technologies. These efforts aim to develop innovative platforms for the targeted delivery of therapeutic cargo and address key limitations of existing treatment approaches. We are also extending this emerging research direction to colorectal cancer and metabolic disease, creating opportunities to apply our expertise in extracellular vesicle biology, molecular signaling, and therapeutic delivery across multiple disease contexts. Together, these complementary research areas establish a cohesive and increasingly translational program that connects mechanistic discovery with the development of next-generation therapeutic strategies.

My scholarly record reflects sustained productivity and meaningful contributions to cancer biology, molecular signaling, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. My peer-reviewed publications have appeared in leading scientific journals, including Nature Aging, Nature Cell Biology, The EMBO Journal, Oncogene, Journal of Biological Chemistry, and journals published by Frontiers. Collectively, this body of work has advanced understanding of the molecular pathways and cellular processes that govern tumor behavior, metastatic progression, and responses to therapy. My research has also received recognition through invited scientific presentations at regional and national institutions and research forums, including the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, the University of Maryland, the University of Illinois at Peoria, Oakland University, Louisiana State University in Shreveport, and the Toledo Cancer Research Symposium. These invitations reflect opportunities to disseminate my laboratory’s findings, engage with the broader biomedical research community, and foster scientific exchange and collaboration.

My professional service reflects growing recognition of my scientific expertise and contributions to the broader research community. In addition to securing extramural NIH funding, I contribute to the evaluation and advancement of biomedical research through national and international grant-review activities, manuscript peer review, and invited scientific presentations. Since 2025, I have served as a grant reviewer for the NIH Nucleic Acid Therapeutic Delivery (DDTD 81) Study Section, contributing to the evaluation of research proposals in an area closely aligned with my expertise in cancer biology and therapeutic delivery. I have also served as an international grant reviewer for the Icelandic Research Fund (IRF). In addition, I review manuscripts for several biomedical journals, including Oncogene, Journal of Biological Chemistry, The EMBO Journal, Genes, Journal of Molecular Medicine, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, and journals published by Frontiers. Through these activities, I contribute to maintaining scientific rigor, evaluating emerging discoveries, and supporting the advancement of high-quality biomedical research.

Graduate education and mentorship are integral to my academic mission. At The University of Toledo, I contribute to medical and graduate education through teaching in Molecular Basis of Cancer, Cancer Cell Signaling, and Advanced Cancer Biology. I also serve as a major advisor and as a member of graduate research advisory committees for Ph.D. students in the Department of Cell and Cancer Biology. My approach to mentorship emphasizes rigorous scientific training, critical thinking, experimental independence, and the development of strong communication and problem-solving skills. Through these educational and mentoring activities, I seek to prepare the next generation of biomedical scientists for successful careers in cancer research and related disciplines while fostering a collaborative and intellectually rigorous research environment.

Overall, I have established a distinct, independently directed, externally funded, and increasingly translational research program that addresses fundamental and clinically relevant questions in cancer biology. My work has contributed to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing tumor cell plasticity, metastatic progression, and therapeutic resistance, while advancing innovative approaches to targeted therapy and therapeutic delivery. The combination of sustained scholarly productivity, substantial NIH support, national and international professional service, invited scientific presentations, and graduate education and mentorship provides a strong foundation for the continued growth of my academic program. Moving forward, I aim to build on these accomplishments by expanding the translational potential of my research, developing innovative therapeutic delivery strategies, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and training future scientific leaders. Through these efforts, my long-term goal is to advance mechanistic discoveries toward meaningful therapeutic innovations that improve outcomes for patients with cancer and other diseases.