I am an associate professor of Molecular Genetics at The Ohio State University and a member of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program at the OSUCCC – James. My research is focused on exploring the molecular mechanisms controlling estrogen signaling and how, when not properly maintained, these mechanisms may influence cancer risk and therapeutic relapse.

In the laboratory, my team and I are currently investigating several aspects of estrogen signaling in cancer. One projects centers on environmental endocrine disruptors. We are examining how inappropriate exposures to environmental chemicals that mimic estrogen, particularly during critical developmental windows, may increase breast cancer risk throughout a woman’s life.

We are also focused on hormone regulation of melanoma. A long-standing clinical association between estrogen and melanoma has been established. Our group aims to understand the molecular mechanisms driving those associations and how they may be utilized to improve patient outcomes.

In addition, we are studying estrogen-controlled breast cancer proliferation. While the majority of breast cancers are effectively treated with hormone therapy, many patients eventually relapse. In these relapsed patients, the pathways in which estrogen controls proliferation have been reactivated even in the presence of therapy. We are working to identify critical downstream pathways that can be targeted for hormone-refractory disease.

I have co-authored dozens of articles published in peer-reviewed journals including Breast Cancer Research, Endocrine-Related Cancer, Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, Nature Communications and Carcinogenesis.