I am a member of the Cancer Biology Program at the OSUCCC – James, where my research is focused on molecular diagnosis of ocular melanoma, identification of novel targets for ocular melanoma therapy and hereditary predisposition to ocular melanoma.

My work includes developing a clinical trial for managing uveal melanoma patients with a high risk for systemic metastasis. My research has identified a novel hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome caused by germline mutation in the BAP1 gene that increases the risk for several cancers including ocular melanoma, skin melanoma, kidney cancer and mesothelioma. It also produced data that highlights the importance of pigmentary genes in the development of ocular melanoma.

I have co-authored numerous articles appearing in well-known publications, including Journal Medical Genetics, Scientific Reports, Familial Cancer, Clinical Genetics, Ophthalmic Genetics, and Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer. I have also co-authored the NCBI gene review clinical guideline for diagnosis and management of the BAP1-tumor predisposition syndrome.