Dr. Paul D. Drew's lab focuses on understanding how fetal alcohol exposure affects brain development, particularly through the impact on oligodendrocyte-lineage cells that are essential for myelination in the central nervous system. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms of neurological deficits associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), with hopes of finding therapeutic approaches for prevention and treatment. By utilizing rodent models, the lab explores the interactions between oligodendrocyte cells and neurons and seeks potential strategies to enhance myelination in affected brains.

Dr. Mayumi Nakagawa's lab focuses on developing innovative therapeutic vaccines to enhance immune responses against high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), which are responsible for several cancers including cervical and head and neck cancers. The lab is actively conducting clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of PepCan, a vaccine designed to boost T-cell responses in patients with HPV-related lesions and cancers. Their research aims to provide alternative treatments that are safer for women who want to preserve their fertility while effectively targeting HPV-related diseases.