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 increasingly translational research program focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms that drive cancer progression, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, and treatment failure. My research integrates molecular and cellular biology with translational cancer research, with particular emphasis on DSTYK signaling, epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity, chemoresistance, and engineered exosome-based therapeutic delivery. The overarching goal of my research program is to identify actionable mechanisms of cancer progression and develop innovative therapeutic strategies that improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. I received my Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Wayne State University and subsequently completed postdoctoral training in Cancer Biology at Cleveland Clinic. I held research and faculty positions at Cleveland Clinic, the Medical University of South Carolina, and East Tennessee State University before joining The University of Toledo in 2024. Across these institutions, I have progressively developed a distinct, independent, and sustained research program that bridges fundamental cancer biology with therapeutic development.

A major focus of my laboratory is triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive malignancy characterized by 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 strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance and enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy. This work is currently supported by a National Cancer Institute R01 award focused on enhancing chemotherapy efficacy in TNBC, representing approximately $1.2 million in direct costs. This NIH support provides a strong foundation for the continued expansion of my research program and its translational potential. My laboratory has also expanded into engineered exosome-based therapeutic delivery and nucleic acid delivery technologies. These efforts seek to develop innovative approaches for the targeted delivery of therapeutic cargo and to address limitations associated with existing treatment strategies. In addition to cancer applications, this emerging research program is being extended to colorectal cancer and metabolic disease, creating new opportunities to translate our expertise in extracellular vesicles, molecular signaling, and therapeutic delivery across disease contexts. 

My scholarly record reflects sustained productivity and contributions to the fields of cancer biology, molecular signaling, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. My peer-reviewed work has appeared in leading journals, including Nature Aging, Nature Cell Biology, EMBO Journal, Oncogene, and Journal of Biological Chemistry. Collectively, these publications have advanced our understanding of signaling mechanisms that regulate tumor cell behavior, cancer progression, metastasis, and response to therapy. My research has also been recognized through invited presentations at regional and national scientific venues, including the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, and the Toledo Cancer Research Symposium.

My professional activities demonstrate growing recognition at the national level. In addition to securing extramural NIH funding, I contribute to the biomedical research community through national grant-review service, manuscript peer review, and invited scientific presentations. Since 2025, I have served as a member of the NIH Nucleic Acid Therapeutic Delivery (DDTD 81) Study Section, providing an important opportunity to contribute to the evaluation of federally funded research and reflecting recognition of my expertise in cancer biology and therapeutic delivery. I also serve as a peer reviewer for multiple biomedical journals, including Oncogene, Journal of Biological Chemistry, EMBO Journal, and Frontiers in Oncology.

Graduate education and mentorship are integral components of my academic mission. At The University of Toledo, I contribute to graduate education through teaching in the Molecular Basis of Cancer and Cancer Cell Signaling courses. I also serve as a major advisor and graduate research advisory committee member for Ph.D. students in the Department of Cell and Cancer Biology. Through these activities, I am committed to providing trainees with rigorous scientific training, fostering critical thinking and independence, and preparing the next generation of biomedical scientists for successful careers in cancer research and related fields.

Overall, I have established a distinct, externally funded, and increasingly translational research program that addresses fundamental and clinically relevant questions in cancer biology. My work has generated important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor cell plasticity, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance while advancing innovative approaches for targeted cancer therapy and therapeutic delivery. Supported by sustained scholarly productivity, NIH funding, national professional service, invited scientific presentations, and graduate mentorship, my research program is well positioned for continued growth and broader translational impact.