Dr. Humam Kadara's lab focuses on understanding how specific lung cells evolve into cancerous cells due to tobacco exposure. By studying the genetic and inflammatory changes that occur in lung tissues, the lab aims to uncover new ways to prevent lung adenocarcinoma, especially in smokers. This research is critical for developing early intervention strategies to combat this common type of lung cancer.

Dr. Kathrin Milbury's lab focuses on supporting patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers through innovative therapeutic approaches. They investigate the impact of family-focused meditation programs on mental health and spiritual wellbeing, aiming to enhance the quality of life for both patients and caregivers. The lab employs various research methods, including randomized controlled trials and real-time behavior monitoring, to better understand and improve coping strategies in this vulnerable population.

Dr. Amy Catherine Moreno's lab focuses on improving the oral health of patients who have undergone radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. They aim to understand and mitigate the dental problems that can arise post-treatment, such as tooth loss and infections. By using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and data models, the lab seeks to develop better diagnostic and management strategies for these oral complications, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for cancer survivors.

Dr. Honami Naora's lab investigates how age impacts the spread of ovarian cancer to the omentum, a fatty tissue that can be a site for cancer metastasis. By understanding how certain immune cells, like innate-like B cells, contribute to this process, the lab aims to develop strategies to reduce the risk of cancer spreading in older women. The research combines animal studies, human samples, and innovative techniques to uncover mechanisms driving these changes in metastasis.

Dr. Helen M. Piwnica-Worms' lab focuses on understanding how fasting before radiation therapy can protect healthy cells from damage. By studying the effects of fasting on small intestinal cells, the lab aims to find ways to enhance the treatment of cancer while reducing adverse effects in patients. The research has implications for improving the safety of radiation therapies by leveraging dietary interventions.

Dr. Di Zhao's lab focuses on understanding and targeting specific factors involved in advanced prostate cancer, particularly the roles of B7-H3 and ASH1L. The lab's research aims to develop new therapies that can effectively combat castration-resistant prostate cancer by targeting these molecules, which are crucial in how cancer cells interact with the immune system and the tumor microenvironment. The ultimate goal is to improve treatment outcomes for patients with aggressive prostate cancer.

Dr. Sadhan Majumder's lab focuses on understanding chronic neuropathic pain and how to improve opioid treatment safety. They investigate the role of a protein called REST in regulating opioid receptors in nerve cells, which can affect how the body responds to pain. The research aims to develop new strategies to enhance pain relief while minimizing the risk of addiction and tolerance to opioids.

Dr. Katy Rezvani's lab focuses on developing innovative therapies for patients with T cell malignancies, which are difficult to treat using traditional methods. They are pioneering the use of CAR-engineered natural killer (NK) cells as a safer and more effective alternative to CAR-T cell therapies. The lab is currently conducting clinical trials to evaluate these CAR-NK cells and uses advanced techniques like genome-wide CRISPR screening to understand how to overcome treatment resistance in these cancers.

Dr. Subrata Sen's lab focuses on advancing the early detection of pancreatic cancer, a particularly aggressive form of cancer. The researchers are developing and validating blood-based biomarkers and advanced imaging techniques to identify the disease at an earlier stage, using both machine learning and multiple biological analyses. Their work aims to improve risk assessment and provide better options for patients at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Liuqing Yang's lab studies the intricate structures of DNA in T cells, particularly how they change in response to cancer, specifically renal medullary carcinoma (RMC). The lab uses advanced techniques to explore how genetic structures influence immune responses and the aggressive nature of cancer, especially in patients with sickle cell disease. Their research aims to improve cancer treatments by enhancing our understanding of the immune system's role in fighting tumors.

Dr. Matthew Gubin's lab focuses on understanding how certain proteins, particularly Bhlhe40, affect the function of T cells in cancer immunotherapy. By exploring the role of Bhlhe40 in both CD4 and CD8 T cells, the lab seeks to enhance our knowledge of how these immune cells can effectively target and eliminate tumors. This research could lead to the development of more effective cancer treatments, especially for patients who do not respond well to existing therapies.

Dr. John A. Tainer's lab at the University of Texas MD Anderson focuses on understanding how DNA repair mechanisms work in cancer cells. They study the response of cancer cells to DNA damage and how different DNA repair pathways are activated during this process. Their work combines innovative technologies and data analysis to uncover the complex interactions between DNA repair, mitochondrial function, and cancer biology, ultimately aiming to improve cancer therapies and patient outcomes.

Dr. Georgios Karras's lab focuses on understanding how certain chemicals, known as aldehydes, can damage our DNA and proteins, leading to diseases like cancer. They investigate how these harmful substances disrupt essential protein functions and contribute to genetic instability. By uncovering these mechanisms, the lab aims to develop new strategies for managing diseases linked to aging and lifestyle choices, potentially leading to better diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Dr. Ho-Ling Anthony Liu's lab focuses on improving the way we map and understand critical brain functions for patients undergoing surgery for conditions like brain tumors and epilepsy. They are developing innovative software tools that enhance the analysis of brain imaging data, allowing for more accurate localization of important brain areas without relying on patients to perform specific tasks. Their work aims to increase the number of patients who benefit from advanced brain imaging techniques, ultimately improving surgical outcomes and preserving vital brain functions.

Dr. Christopher Chad Quarles' research lab focuses on improving the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors, particularly gliomas. The lab is working on two main projects: refining an MRI imaging protocol to better assess brain tumors and developing mathematical models to predict how individual tumors respond to therapies. These efforts aim to enhance patient management by providing more accurate tools for clinicians.

Dr. Junjie Chen's lab at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center focuses on understanding how cells repair DNA damage and the role of specific enzymes in cancer treatment. They explore the mechanisms behind DNA topoisomerases, which are crucial for managing DNA structure during crucial cellular processes. The lab aims to develop improved cancer therapies by targeting DNA repair pathways and enhancing the effectiveness of current treatment strategies.

Dr. Marites Pasuelo Melancon's research focuses on improving treatments for liver cancer patients by developing innovative drug delivery systems. Her lab aims to enhance liver regeneration before surgeries by creating degradable scaffolds that release a bile acid called obeticholic acid (OCA). This approach not only aids in the growth of healthy liver tissue but also reduces the risks of complications after surgery. Ultimately, her work could help more patients qualify for lifesaving liver surgeries.

Dr. Pawel K. Mazur’s lab focuses on understanding the roles of specific enzymes in lung cancer progression and treatment. The research investigates the regulation of lung squamous cell carcinoma and small cell lung cancer through the study of epigenetic factors such as NSD3, CARM1, and NSD2. By utilizing advanced mouse models and pharmacological approaches, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic targets to improve cancer treatments and outcomes for patients.

Dr. Jason D. Robinson's lab focuses on innovative approaches to help people quit smoking, particularly older adults at higher risk for lung cancer. They are exploring effective combinations of treatments, including medications and counseling, delivered virtually to assess their impact on smoking cessation success. Additionally, the lab investigates the potential benefits and risks of electronic cigarettes as a less harmful alternative for smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit combustible cigarettes.

Dr. Rugang Zhang's lab is focused on understanding how cancer cells can evade treatment and promote tumor growth through a process called senescence. They specifically study the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which involves the secretion of various factors by senescent cells that can contribute to therapy resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer. The lab aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms of this process, particularly through the role of certain proteins, and to develop new therapeutic strategies that target these pathways to improve treatment outcomes for patients.