Overview
I obtained my Ph.D. in Oncological Sciences from University of Utah (Supervisor, Dr. Bradley Cairns, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Huntsman Cancer Institute). My PhD thesis work resulted in several key discoveries on the fundamental mechanisms of chromatin regulation of gene expression during development. I identified and functionally characterized the Yaf9 component of the SWR1 and NuA4 complexes which are essential for proper regulation of gene expression (Mol. Cell. Biol. (2004) 24, 9424-9436). I also investigated the genome-wide dynamics of Htz1, a histone H2A variant and delineated the molecular mechanism by which Htz1 poises repressed/basal promoters for activation through histone loss (Cell (2005) 123, 219-231). Furthermore, I initiated and helped to develop multiple projects in which we studied how distinctive chromatin in sperm packages genes for embryo development in both human and zebrafish model systems (Nature (2009) 460(7254), 473-8; Genome Res. (2011) 21(4), 578-89). These research experiences endowed me with expertise in genomics/epigenomics and transcriptional regulation.
During my postdoctoral fellowship (Supervisor, Dr. Elaine Fuchs, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Rockefeller University), I extended my research experience into the mammalian cell biology and developmental biology. My work resulted in the discovery that the Hippo signaling pathway is required for balancing growth and differentiation during epidermal development, and its aberrant regulation result in various types of skin cancers (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010. 108, 2270-5).
Highlights
- 1Journal of extracellular biology · 2024
Publications
Funding
Active
5 grants- MPIR01CA218513-06A1Application of 4D proteomics and super-resolution microscopy in extracellular vesicle and particle-borne biomarker discovery for early pancreatic cancer detectionNational Cancer Institute · 2017–2028· 2 renewals
- Co-IR01DK137517-04Abnormal Extracellular Vesicles and Particles from Human Islets Impact T1D progressionNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2023–2028
- Co-IPSF 251938-01Targeting Ovarian Cancer Metastasis: From Pre-metastatic Niches to Liquid BiopsiesPershing Square Foundation · 2025–2028
- Co-IU01CA210240-08Pancreatic Cancer Detection ConsortiumNational Cancer Institute · 2017–2027 · via University of Nebraska Medical Center· 2 renewals
- Co-IOI 241832-01Targeting the Axis of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles, Lung Macrophages, and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps to Prevent Pulmonary Metastasis in OsteosarcomaOsteosarcoma Institute · 2024–2027
Completed grants (6)
- Co-IR44CA272098-01A1Quantitative Analysis of Cancer-associated EVs.National Cancer Institute · 2023–2025 · via Cellarcus
- KPU19AI144301-05Immune Cells and Secretory Pathways Leading to Human Systemic AutoimmunityNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2019–2024
- Co-IU01CA224175-01Defining Neoantigen Immunodominance for Antigen Selection and Biomarker Discovery in Human Pancreatic Cancer ImmunotherapyNational Cancer Institute · 2017–2022 · via Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research
- KPPOETIC 184075-03Study Characterizing Cellular, Extracellular Composition and Genetic Profiling of Relapsed/Refractory Pediatric Tumors (POETIC)Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators' Consortium · 2016–2021 · via Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer ResearchNo publications yet
- KPI9-A9-056Circulating Exosomal microRNA as Biomarkers of Medulloblastoma Progression, Metastasis, and RecurrenceStarr Cancer Consortium · 2016–2018
- KPW81XWH-13-1-0427Organ-Tropic Metastatic Secretomes and Exosomes in Breast CancerU.S. Department of Defense · 2013–2018
News mentions
- T Cells Secrete DNA to Boost the Immune System’s Cancer-Fighting AbilityApril 30, 2026
Activated immune cells secrete tiny capsules bearing DNA that can enter other immune and tumor cells to stimulate the body’s defense systems, according to a study led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Cancers in Distant Organs Alter Liver FunctionMay 24, 2023
Cancers often release molecules into the bloodstream that pathologically alter the liver, shifting it to an inflammatory state, causing fat buildup and impairing its normal detoxifying functions.
- NIH Grant Funds Research on Autoimmune Diseases in ChildrenAugust 8, 2019
Weill Cornell Medicine has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish an Autoimmunity Center of Excellence dedicated to understanding the mechanisms that contribute to autoimmune diseases in children.Weill Cornell Medicine has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish an Autoimmunity Center of Excellence dedicated to understanding the mechanisms that contribute to autoimmune diseases in children.