Mentor: Christopher Stipp, PhD

Comprehensive Exam:

MAPK + X: Signaling Pathways Driving Uveal Melanoma

Research:

Uveal melanoma (UM) is among the most aggressive cancers, with survival outcomes remaining largely unchanged over the past several decades despite significant advances in cancer research and therapy.  While aberrant MAPK signaling has stood in the spotlight as the primary driver of UM, my research takes a backstage pass to uncover the supporting, lesser known ‘cellular contributors’ that quietly fuel proliferation, survival, and even drug resistance.