I am a physician-scientist who believes that cancer chemoprevention is a cornerstone of cancer control. I serve as an associate professor with tenure in the Division of Medical Oncology at The Ohio State University and as a member of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program at the OSUCCC – James, where I have established a vigorous laboratory team that has been supported by NIH grants since 2008.

My lab team has been focusing on translational research, mainly molecular carcinogenesis and cancer chemoprevention of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) using a variety of rodent models, in vitro systems and human clinical trials. One of the animal studies my lab uses is a carcinogen-induced rat model of esophageal SCC. This animal model mimics the neoplastic process occurring in humans and has been an extremely valuable tool for studying human esophageal SCC.

My laboratory also conducts research to elucidate the mechanisms through which pure compounds and natural food products (like black raspberries and strawberries) help prevent esophageal carcinogenesis and identify biomarkers as novel preventive and therapeutic targets for this disease.

As a faculty member at Ohio State, I have been a mentor for individual students and other trainees, as well as an educator in the didactic setting. Most of my students have had impressive accomplishments that include receiving competitive awards, presenting work at national conferences, publishing original research and advancing their careers in medicine or academic science.