The ASPIRE Path in Molecular Medicine

I currently study pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis, exploring the role that KRASG12D mutations play in the context of pancreatitis and cancer progression. Specifically, I am currently working to establish a more accurate model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) onset by employing several inducible Cre recombinase mouse models that express oncogenic KRAS in the context of pancreatic injury. Ultimately, I plan on conducting single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, histological studies and organic studies using human and murine tissue as well as epigenetic techniques to understand the mechanisms driving pancreatic neoplasia within ductal tissue.

I am excited to continue my research is the gastrointestinal cancer field, as unfortunately these cancers have become increasingly more common and heterogeneous. This is due to our lack of understanding regarding the progression of these cancers, slowing the development of treatment and prevention efforts.