Ande,Satyanarayana,PhDCancerBiology,CN3150AssociateProfessorofBiochemistryandMolecularBiologySANDE@augusta.edu

Dr. Ande’s lab investigates the regulation andfunction of specific transcription factors andtumor suppressors in liver tumorigenesis andliver tumor angiogenesis. His lab also studiesadipose tissuemetabolismandobesityand themolecularlinksbetweenobesityandlivercancerby utilizing knockout and transgenic mousemodels.

Arbab,Ali,PhD,MBBSCancerBiology,CN3141Professor,BiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-8909

AARBAB@augusta.edu

Our laboratory creates different orthotropicanimal models for human glioma. We use invivo MRI, SPECT and optical imaging todetermine the tumor growth, tumor vascularparameters, migration and accumulation ofendogenous or exogenously administeredstem/progenitor cells in the tumorneovascularization,andaccumul-ationoflamininavidnanoparticlebasedcontrastagents.

Browning,Darren,PhDDirector,GraduatePrograminBiochemistryandCancerBiologyBiochemistry,CN1164Professor,BiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-9526DBROWNING@augusta.edu

Our focus is cGMP signaling through proteinkinases(PKG)inthegastrointestinaltract.Mylabhas characterizedanti-tumorpropertiesofPKGin colon cancer, including: blockade ofproliferation, angiogenesis, and hypoxicadaptation. Using knockout mice, we showedthat PKG2 regulates colon homeostasis andstrengthens the mucosal barrier. The lab iscurrently testing PDE5 inhibitors for thetreatment and prevention of colitis and coloncancerinpreclinicalmodels.

Celis,Esteban,MD,PhDCancerBiology,CN4121ProfessorofBiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-5668ECELIS@augusta.edu

A major challenge for developing effectivecancervaccinesagainstisovercomingtolerance.This is where CD8 T lymphocytes that shouldrecognizeandkilltumorcellsarenotinducedbyconventionalvaccines.Wehavedesignedanovelvaccination approach that uses syntheticpeptides representingCD8Tcellepitopes,Toll-like receptoragonists that functionasapotentimmunological adjuvants and immunecostimulatorymonoclonalantibodies.

Chadli,Ahmed,MS,PhDCancerBiology,CN3151MolecularChaperoneBiologyAssociateProfessorofMedicinePhone:(706)721-4661ACHADLI@augusta.edu

Research in Dr. Chadli’s laboratory focuses onunderstanding theHsp90 chaperoningmachineand co-chaperones in the initiation andprogressionofbreastandprostatecancersusinginvitroandmouseconditionalknockoutmodels.WebelievethattargetingtheHsp90machinewillhave a powerful impact on dysfunctionalcircuitries that underlie cancer, and we aredeveloping a high-throughput technology toidentifycompoundstoinactivateHsp90.

Cowell,John,PhDInterimDirector,GeorgiaCancerCenterCancerBiology,CN4121ProfessorofPathologyPhone:(706)721-4381JCOWELL@augusta.edu

Dr.JohnCowellstudiesthemoleculargeneticsofcancer using a variety of genomics, cell, andmolecularapproaches.Hecurrently studies therole of the WASF3 gene in the promotion ofcancermetastasis using in vivomodels inmiceand zebrafish.Healso studiesof themolecularetiology of Stem Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma(SCLL) syndrome which is characterized bychromosome8p11translocationsactivatingtheFGFR1kinase.

Ding,Han-Fei,PhDCancerBiology,CN4132ProfessorofPathologyPhone:(706)721-4286HDING@augusta.edu

TheresearchprogramoftheDinglaboratoryistodefinethemolecularandcellularbasisofcancerdevelopment in selectmodel systems.Ongoingprojects include developmental biology ofneuroblastoma and NF-kB2 signaling in thepathogenesisoflymphoma.

He,Yukai,MD,PhDCancerBiology,CN4150ProfessorofMedicinePhone:(706)721-2728YHE@augusta.edu

Dr. He studies the basic mechanisms of howvaccines activate the immune system and theinnovative design of cancer vaccines. Hisresearchfocusisoncreationofcancervaccinesformelanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma inmice and on translation of animal studies intoclinicalapplications.

Horuzsko,Anatolij,MD,PhDCancerBiology,CN3154ProfessorofMedicinePhone:(706)721-8736AHORUZSKO@augusta.edu

Dr. Horuzsko's studies focus on organtransplantationandtheroleofHumanLeukocyteAntigen-G(HLA-G).Hisaimistoimproveallograftsurvival in patients and address allergy,autoimmune diseases and graft-versus-hostdisease.Hisworkintransplantationisrelevanttocancer, but he also studies the inflammatorymechanismsofhostdefenseandcarcinogenesis.

Koni,Pandelakis,PhDCancerBiology,CN4154AssociateProfessorofMedicineBasicScienceFacultyPhone:(706)721-6897PKONI@augusta.edu

Dr. Pandelakis Koni, runs a mouse modelresearch lab, and focuses on which genespromotecancerandthemechanismsthatallowit to happen. By turning genes off or silencingtheir expression in engineered mice, hecompares themtonormalmiceand findscluesabout which genes promote cancer in people.Research interests include immune regulation,inflammation, interface between antigen-presentingandTcells.

Korkaya,Hasan,DVM,PhDCancerBiology,CN2136AssistantProfessorofBiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-2429HKORKAYA@augusta.edu

Dr.Korkayadevelopsmousexenograftmodelsofhumanmalignancies and uses thesemodels toinvestigate the mechanisms of metastasis andtherapeutic resistance. He aims to identifydrivers of epithelial tomesenchymal transitionand self-renewal in cancer stem cells. His labshowed that high levels of IL6 in tumors,promotes the metastatic phenotype andblocking this pathway is therapeutic in mousepreclinicalmodels.

Li,Honglin,PhDBiochemistry,CN2176AssociateProfessor,BiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-6143HLI@augusta.edu

Dr.ListudiestherolesoftheUfm1conjugationsystem (a novel ubiquitin-like system) and itsassociated proteins in animal development,signal transduction, stress response andtumorigenesis.

Liu,Kebin,PhDBiochemistry,CN1173ProfessorofBiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-9483KLIU@augusta.edu

AgraduateoftheUniversityofOklahoma,Dr.Liustudies epigenetic and genetic regulation oftumor suppressor gene expression, molecularmechanisms of apoptosis resistance in tumorimmuneevasion andescape, anddevelopmentof molecular target-based chemotherapy toenhancetheefficacyofcancerimmunotherapy.

Lokeshwar,BalPhDDirector,GraduatePrograminBiochemistryandCancerBiologyCancerBiology,CN3130ProfessorofMedicinePhone:(706)723-0033BLOKESHWAR@augusta.edu

Theresearchprogramisfocusedontwoaspectsof cancer: cancer prevention using naturalproducts and understanding themechanism ofcancer progression leading to metastasis.Currentprojectsinhislaboratoryinvestigatetherole of CXC chemokines and their receptors(CXCRs) that contribute to cancer progressionand metastasis. The laboratory is engaged intranslational research, where the group isinvestigating novel compounds isolated fromdietary spices that may prevent cancerdevelopmentandenhance response toexistingtherapyforprostateandbreastcancers.

Lokeshwar,Vinata,PhDBiochemistry,CN1161ProfessorandChairBiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-7652VLOKESHWAR@augusta.edu

Themajorfocusofthelaboratoryistoexaminehow extracellular matrix-driven tumor cellsignaling promotes tumor growth, metastasisand angiogenesis. The emphasis is to discoverandvalidateaccuratediagnosticandprognosticbiomarkers for prostate, bladder and renal cellcarcinomas and to design biomarker-driventargeted treatments and chemodietarypreventionstrategiesformetastaticcancers.Thelaboratory provides training in translationalresearchandacollaborativeatmosphere.

Maihle,Nita,PhDAssociateCancerCenterDirectorofEducation.CancerBiology,CN3114Professor,BiochemistryandMolecularBiologyNMAIHLE@augusta.edu

Dr. Maihle studies fundamental aspects ofreceptor-extracellular matrix regulation bysEGFR/sHER’s,withanemphasisoncellsurvivalsignaling,aswellastheclinicaldevelopmentofthesenewlydiscoveredHERreceptorisoformsasbiotherapeutics, and also as prognostic,diagnostic, and theragnostic biomarkers(serum/tissue/tumor). More recent studiesincludethediscoveryofmechanismsunderlyingprimaryresistancetobiologically-targetedHER-directedtherapeutics.

Manicassamy,Kumar,PhDCancerBiology,CN4158AProfessor,BiochemistryandMolecularBiologySMANICASSAMY@augusta.edu

Dr.Manicassamyisexaminingcriticalmechanismsthatregulateadoptiveimmuneresponsesatthemucosalsurfacesofthegastrointestinaltract.Hisresearchwillshedlightoninteractionsbetweencommensalmicroorganismsandhowtheseinteractionscanbecomedysfunctionaltocauseincreasedriskofinflammatoryboweldiseaseandcoloncancers.

Dr.Manicassamyisexaminingcriticalmechanisms that regulate adoptive immuneresponsesatthemucosalsurfacesofthegastrointestinal tract. His researchwill shedlightoninteractionsbetweencommensalmicroorganismsandhowtheseinteractionscanbecomedysfunctionaltocauseincreasedriskofinflammatoryboweldiseaseandcoloncancers.

Martin,Pamela,PhDBiochemistry,CN1160AssociateProfessor,Biochemistry&MolecularBiology,andOphthalmologyPhone:(706)721-4220PMMARTIN@augusta.edu

Dr.Martin'sfocusisonthediscoveryandanalysisofnovelbiochemicaltransportersandreceptorsinretinawhichmaybeusefulinthedevelopmentofnew therapeutic targets in the treatment andpreventionofdiabeticretinopathy.

Mivechi,Nahid,PhDCancerBiology,CN3153Professor,Radiology/RadiationOncology,MolecularChaperoneBiologyPhone:(706)721-8759NMIVECHI@augusta.edu

Dr. Mivechi's laboratory focuses onunderstanding the molecular mechanisms ofstress response using genetically engineeredmouse models and zebrafish. The comparisonbetween conserved biochemical and molecularpathways in mice and zebrafish facilitatesunderstanding of how animals and therebyhumans respond and cope with theirenvironment.

Moskofidis,Dimitrios,MDCancerBiology,CN3143MolecularChaperoneBiologyProfessorofMedicinePhone:(706)721-8738DMOSKOFIDIS@augusta.edu

Dr. Moskofidis explores basic processes in theimmune response against acute and persistentviralinfectionsinwell-establishedmousemodels,withlong-termgoalsofdevelopingorimprovingvaccination strategies for the prevention andtreatmentofviral infections inhumans.Healsostudies molecular chaperones in cancer andneurodegenerativediseases.

Munn,David,MDSeniorAdvisortoCancerCtrDirectorCancerBiology,CN4141ProfessorofPediatricsPhone:(706)721-7141DMUNN@augusta.edu

Dr.Munn'slabstudiesmechanismsthatsuppresstheimmunesystem,makingthebodytolerantofa malignancy. He has identified the enzymeindoleamine2,3-dioxygenase(IDO)asa linchpinfor suppression and opened the way to novelstrategiestoblockitsactivity.Researchinterestsinclude macrophage and dendritic celldifferentiation;regulationofTcellactivation,IDOand trp metabolism; clinical trials of IDOinhibitorsincancer,HIV.

Nagendra,Singh,PhDBiochemistry,CN1176AssociateProfessorofBiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-6238NASINGH@augusta.edu

Thereare10timesmorebacteriainourgutthanthetotalnumberofcellsinourbody.Withinthis“gutmicrobiota”arebadbacteriathatcaninduceinflammationandcancer,butalsogoodbacteriathat are protective. Research in Dr. Singh’slaboratory focuses on how metabolites fromgood bacteria interact with host genes such asGpr109a, Gpr43 to induce anti-inflammatorymechanisms such as tolerogenic dendritic cells,induction of T-regs, inhibition of inflammatorycytokines.

Pace,Betty,MDFrancisJ.Tedesco,MDDistinguishedChairinPediatricsActingChiefofPediatrics,SectionofPediatricHematology/Oncology,ProfessorofPediatricsandBiochemistry&MolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-6893BPACE@augusta.edu

ThePacelaboratoryconductsresearchrelatedtothe developmental regulation of globin geneexpression using primary erythroid progenitors.Themajorefforthasbeentherolep38MAPKcellsignaling in drug-mediated fetal hemoglobininduction as a treatment for sickle cell disease.The laboratory also has conducted highthroughputdrugscreenstoidentifynovelgammaglobininducers.Genome-widestudiesarebeingconducted to identify geneticmodifiers of fetalhemoglobin.

Prasad,Puttur,PhDBiochemistry,CN1163ProfofObstetricsandGynecologyBiochemistry&MolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-1761PPRASAD@augusta.edu

Dr. Prasad studies the nutrient and drugtransporters in the placenta as well as post-partumdepression.

Sakamuro,Daitoku,PhDBiochemistry,CN2177AssociateProfessorofBiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-1018DSAKAMURO@augusta.edu

The Sakamuro laboratory is interested in thesignalingmechanismsbywhichadvancedcancercells acquire resistance to DNA damage, p53-dependent apoptosis, and substratum dissoc-iation stress,and reverseEMT.One focus is thedual roles of the c-MYC transcription factor ingenomic instabilityandDNAdamage resistance.Anotheristhemechanismsofapoptosisinducedbythep53tumorsuppressor in thepresenceofchromatinremodelingfactors.

Shi,Huidong,PhDCancerBiology,CN2138ProfessorofBiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-6000HSHI@augusta.edu

Dr.Shistudiesepigenomics,anddevelopmentofhigh-throughput technologies for dissecting thecomplex epigenetic regulation in normal andtumor cells. Epigenetics is heritable chromatinorganization and gene expression not coded byDNA sequence. While epigenetics refers to thestudy of single genes or sets of genes,epigenomics is theglobalanalysesofepigeneticchangesacrossthegenome.

Thangaraju,Muthusamy,PhDBiochemistry,CN1161AssociateProfessorofBiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-0272MTHANGARAJU@augusta.edu

Dr. “Raju” is interested in the role of plasmamembranetransportersintheuptakeofhistonedeacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors into tumor cells;Relevance of these transporters to tumorsuppression in mammary gland via HDACinhibition;Physiologic roleof these transportersin apoptosis during mammary gland involution;Epigenetic mechanisms for silencing of thesetransportersinbreastcancer.

Thompson,Stuart,PhDBiochemistry,CB2607AssociateProfessor,SectionforInfectiousDiseases,andBiochemistryandMolecularBiology,Phone:(706)721-7277STTHOMPS@augusta.edu

MylabstudiesCampylobacterandHelicobacter,bacteria that cause gastroenteritis and gastriccancer, respectively. We use molecular andbiochemical techniques to elucidate themechanisms by which these pathogens causedisease. Specifically, we study gene regulationevents that link motility with formation ofbiofilms, bacterial communities that resistantibioticsandthehostimmunesystem.

Tuan-Lo,Dorothy,PhDBiochemistry,CN2173ProfessorofBiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-6281DTUANLO@augusta.edu

Dr. Tuan's research focuses on long-rangetranscriptional regulation of genes by the LocusControlRegion(LCR)andtheLTRretrotransposonof ERV-9 human endogenous retrovirus, inparticular, roles of long, noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)transcribedbytheLCRandERV-9LTRinregulating red cell differentiation. An additionalresearch interest of her lab is molecularmechanismofgamma-globingenereactivationinsicklecelldiseaseandthalassemia.

VanRiggelen,Jan,PhDBiochemistry,CN2175AssistantProfessorofBiochemistryandMolecularBiologyPhone:(706)721-0856JVANRIGGELEN@augusta.edu

Dr.VanRiggelenusestheMyc/Miz1andSmad/TGFbsignalingpathwayinhematopoieticmalignanciesasamodelsystemtostudyhowdynamicsintheepigeneticlandscapedrive proliferation vs. cellular senescence.Our main focus is on DNA methyltransferases andgenome-wideDNAmethylationmediatedbyMycandSmad.Ourgoalistounderstandhowthesepathwayscontrol tumormaintenance, cellular senescence andtumorregression.

Yan,Chunhong,PhD CancerBiology,CN2134 AssociateProfessorCYAN@augusta.edu

Dr.Yan’slabutilizesbiochemicalapproachesandgenetically-engineered mouse models to studytumorsuppressornetworksandunderstandhowcancer is generated and progressed. Currentinterests include the p53 pathway and proteinmodifications (e.g., ubiquitination andacetylation)incellularresponsestoDNAdamageandmetabolic stresses.He is also interested indeveloping novel therapeutic strategiestargetingaberrantproteintranslationincancer.

Zhou,Gang,PhDCancerBiology,CN4140AssociateProfessorofMedicine,SectionofHematology/OncologyPhone:(706)721-4472GZHOU@augusta.edu

Dr. Zhou's investigates the functions of theimmune system’s CD4+ T cells in cancer usingvarious animal models. CD4+ T cells can beprimedtohandlediverseassignmentseitherashelperorsuppressor(regulatory)cells.Ashelpercells,theycankillmalignantcellsdirectlyorhelpto activate other immune cells to attack thetumors.SuppressorCD4+Tcells,however,actasbrakes on the immune system, heading offautoimmunedisorders.