The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center at Houston
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery

My research focuses on the development and refinement of mouse models to study cancer
biology, with a specific focus on breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, and
colon cancer. Alongside these disease models, I am committed to advancing guidelines that
ensure the welfare and ethical use of animals in cancer research. These efforts are critical in
bridging the gap between basic science and translational research, enabling the development of
new treatments that can be tested and validated in vivo.

My journey into cancer biology began with an exploration of the epigenetics of the mammary
cancer stem cells, a field that piqued my interest during my graduate studies at the Medical
College of Georgia, Augusta University. This passion grew further during my research
fellowship at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS/NIH), where I
studied the role of cancer stem like cells in breast cancer progression and metastasis.

Currently, my work involves active collaboration in various research initiatives aimed at refining
and developing innovative preclinical mouse models to study cancer and the toxicity induced by
cancer treatments. I focus on establishing and optimizing models for pancreatic, breast,
leukemia, and prostate cancers, as well as addressing the toxic side effects of various cancer
therapies. I also provide advanced surgical techniques and training in the use of these mouse
models, ensuring that the methods are robust, reproducible, and effective for studying both tumor
biology and treatment-induced toxicities.

With a strong background in the mechanistic understanding of cancer biology and extensive
experience working with animal models, I contribute to the development of novel therapeutic
strategies that aim to mitigate both cancer progression and treatment-related side effects. My
work is dedicated to advancing cutting-edge cancer research by improving the reproducibility
and applicability of preclinical models. Ultimately, my goal is to support the institute's mission
to eliminate cancer through the refinement of experimental models that can lead to more
effective treatments and a better understanding of cancer-related complications.

PubMed

MDACC Faculty

Education & Training

PhD - Augusta University - Medical College of Georgia - 2015