Bio: RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research focuses on cancer chemoprevention and targeted cancer therapy using retinoids and on the characterization of inhibitors of DNA polymerases. We are also interested in drug development from natural resources and drug formulations using nanoparticles. We focus on the sesquiterpene lactones family of plant secondary metabolites which comprises lead anticancer drugs in clinical development.

We rely on in vitro and in vivo models of epidermal carcinogenesis, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, and chronic myeloid and acute myeloid leukemia to determine the effect of anticancer drugs in:

- Cell death and epigenetic mechanisms
- Retinoid signaling and mechanisms of resistance
- DNA damage and DNA polymerase inhibitors
- Targeted cancer therapy and combination treatments
- Targeting of cancer stem cells
- Cancer metabolism and inflammation
- Nanoparticle drug development

TEACHING INTERESTS
Cancer-related courses: Molecular Biology of Cancer- Molecular Biology of Cell Death
Biochemistry-related courses: Advanced Nucleic Acids and Basic Genetics- Graduate Biochemistry- Biochemistry for Nursing- Medical Biochemistry- Genetics