Brown University · BiochemistryEpithelial Cancer Metabolism Lab
Michelle R Dawson · Providence, Rhode Island
Research Focus
Dr. Michelle R. Dawson's lab at Brown University focuses on understanding how some cells in epithelial ovarian cancer can resist treatment and spread within the body. Her research investigates the role of energy metabolism in cancer cells, particularly how they switch between using different energy sources when under stress. By studying these processes, particularly in a specialized 3D culture model, the lab aims to discover new ways to target and potentially treat this aggressive cancer more effectively.
epithelial ovarian cancerlipid metabolismchemoresistanceautophagycell heterogeneitymetabolic stress3D culture modeltumor microenvironmentenergy metabolism
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate how metabolic and treatment stress activates lipid metabolism in cancer cells.
AIM 02Determine the role of autophagy in the survival of invasive cancer cells under stress.
AIM 03Analyze how metabolic changes contribute to the development of aggressive tumors.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureanimal studies3D tissue modelingmicroscopylipid droplet analysismetabolic reprogrammingdrug delivery systemsmolecular analysis techniquesbiophysical cell analysis
Output against the department
Publications330top 18% of dept.73rd of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.8kbottom 20% of dept.322nd of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.