Active
- Positions
- Research Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Oncology
- Adjunct Research Assistant Professor, Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology
- Member, WVU Cancer Institute Research Programs
- Phone
- 304-293-3771
Rachel Abbotts, MD/PhD
Dr. Abbotts’ pathway to research independence has focused on the role of TP53 in directing the viral mimicry response. The TP53 tumor suppressor is the most commonly altered gene in cancer, with mutational hotspots in the DNA binding domain producing protein with defective folding (structural mutants) or DNA interface (DNA binding mutants). The therapeutic potential of Dr. Abbotts’ work was recognized in 2022 by the NIH Epigenetics SPORE with the award of a Career Enhancement Program grant. Dr. Abbotts has over 14 years’ experience in molecular biology research, developing expertise in widely varied experimental techniques, and remains an enthusiastic and productive bench scientist.
- Positions
- Assistant Professor, Medicine
- Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience
- Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Oncology
- Assistant Professor, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (SOM)
- Member, WVU Cancer Institute Research Programs
- Phone
- 304-598-4500
Sonikpreet Aulakh, MBBS, MD
In her laboratory, Dr. Aulakh investigates the molecular underpinnings of glioblastoma, focusing on CD38 as a therapeutic target to overcome treatment resistance. Her ongoing projects, funded by intramural and extramural funding, include developing patient-derived xenograft models to test novel therapies and exploring the tumor microenvironment’s role in disease progression. By addressing the biological diversity of brain tumors in Appalachia, her research lays the foundation for personalized treatments tailored to rural populations.
Dr. Aulakh’s translational research bridges laboratory discoveries and clinical practice, directly impacting rural neuro-oncology care. Her work on CD38-targeted therapies has led to clinical trials that translate molecular insights into tangible treatments. Projects like the PROTEUS Consortium study (2022–2024) have implemented patient-reported outcome-guided care models, improving quality of life for brain tumor patients in Appalachia. By integrating genomic data and clinical outcomes, she ensures that rural patients benefit from precision medicine advancements.
- Position
- Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Phone
- 304-293-0279
Sharan Kumar Reddy Bobbala, PhD
The overarching goal of Bobbala’s research laboratory is to design and develop novel delivery platforms that can efficiently target and deliver drugs and vaccines to the body for prophylactic and therapeutic implementations. His lab aims to achieve controlled release of drugs and vaccines in both intracellular and extracellular environments using the rational design of nanoparticles and hydrogels, and diverse pharmaceutical formulation approaches. These efforts are centered on addressing fundamental problems in the areas of drug delivery, vaccination, bioavailability and diagnostics.
- Positions
- Research Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Oncology
- Member, WVU Cancer Institute Research Programs
- Phone
- 304-293-7451
Dominique Bollino, PhD
In our laboratory, we are investigating the potential of asparaginases to target glutamine and asparagine metabolic pathways in several cancer models. Our research aims to identify effective asparaginase-based combinations that can be rapidly translated into clinical applications, offering new therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment.
- Investigating the impact of asparaginase-mediated amino acid depletion on the anti-cancer effects of other chemotherapeutic, targeted, or immunotherapeutic agents in various cancer models.
- Identifying novel therapeutic strategies to combat asparaginase resistance mechanisms.
- Positions
- Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience
- Member, WVU Cancer Institute Research Programs
- Phone
- 304-581-1760
William Walker, PhD
Dr. Walker's lab examines the mechanisms by which tumors alter the brain and how the CNS can alter tumor development. My lab is particularly interested in applying well defined neuroscience concepts (e.g., circadian rhythms and chronotherapeutics) to cancer biology to improve cancer treatment and quality of life in cancer survivors. Current projects within the lab include: (1) examining the effects of chrono-chemotherapy treatment for brain metastases of breast cancer, (2) investigating whether chronotherapeutic treatment of cancers can improve cancer survivors’ quality of life, and (3) examining the effects of timed CAR T-cell administration on anti-tumor efficacy in solid tumors.
Graduates
Margaret Bennewitz, PhD
Dr. Bennewitz aims to develop novel, safe contrast agents for early detection of breast cancer that will increase diagnostic accuracy of breast MRI. She has developed Nano-, Encapsulated Manganese Oxide (NEMO) particles that will be superior replacements for clinically used contrast agents (e.g., Gd-chelates). Her preliminary data shows that NEMO particles provide a unique pH-switchable signal that is only activated upon internalization in acidic tumor cell endosomes (pH 5). No MRI signal is produced at pH of the blood (pH 7.4) or tumor extracellular space (pH 6.5). This approach allows the MRI signal to remain “OFF” in the bloodstream and only turn “ON” after NEMO particle uptake into tumor cells. NEMO particles are safely tolerated in mice and exhibit a stronger signal than Gd-chelates. During the project, NEMO particles will be further characterized in vitro and in vivo for specificity, sensitivity, toxicity, biodistribution and elimination. This work will lead to future clinical trials of NEMO particles.
Brian Boone, MD
Dr. Boone is studying mechanisms underlying the development of neutrophil extracellular traps in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. He presented plans to characterize the NETs and explore mechanisms that underlie increased glycolysis in NET. The project also explores citrullination as a mechanism of epigenetic modulation of these processes.
Wei Du, MD/PhD
Dr. Du’s research is centered on pathophysiology of hematologic diseases such as bone marrow (BM) failure and leukemia. She has a broad background in hematopoiesis, stem cell biology & aging, cellular metabolism and tumor microenvironment, with specific training and expertise in DNA damage response/repair, mouse modeling, metabolite profiling, and in vivo disease modeling. She has been investigating the mechanism of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) mobilization and BM niche engraftment as well as the factors implicated in cell proliferation and apoptosis. She identified functional interactions between certain factors implicated in cell polarity, adhesion/migration, stem cell metabolism and aging. Du’s lab is also interested in understanding the underlying mechanisms by which regulate bone development and hematopoietic supportive function of bone marrow cells.
Tracy Liu, PhD
Dr. Liu studies strategies to modulate the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to enhance immunotherapy response. Innate immune cells are major drives of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. She has identified enzymes expressed specifically by innate immune cells, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), as potential targets to inhibit the immunosuppressive activity of these cells. She plans to evaluate the contribution of these enzymes to metastatic melanoma development and immunotherapy response using a combination of genetically engineered mouse models, intravital imaging and immune cell isolation studies. This work would support the repurposed used of MPO and NOX2 inhibitors in treating melanoma with the overall goal to improve immunotherapy response in melanoma patients.
Ivan Martinez, PhD
The main interest in the Martinez Lab is to understand the importance of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), non-coding circular RNAs (circRNAs), and glycosylated RNAs (glycoRNAs) in the process of carcinogenesis as well as viral infections.
Emidio Pistilli, PhD
Research in Dr. Pistilli’s laboratory is focused on:
- Identification and therapeutic targeting of underlying mechanisms that contribute to cancer-associated muscle fatigue, with a specific focus on breast cancer. We utilize cell-based models, mouse models of breast cancer, and human tissue biopsies in our experiments. The goal of this research is to develop a supportive therapy that can alleviate the significant muscle fatigue that is common during tumor growth.
- Identification of the communication linking a tumor localized in the breast with systemic muscle fatigue. Experiments to identify tumor secreted factors and their effects on mitochondrial function and associated signaling in muscle tissue are performed using in vitro models and mouse models of breast cancer.
- Analysis of the differential effects of tumor growth on muscle functional properties in female and male mouse models of breast cancer. Development of a male model of breast cancer in an immunocompetent mouse strain.
