Research Summary
The focus of my laboratory is to understand the genetic basis of drug response and toxicity. Relevant to the Cancer Center are our efforts related to taxane-induced sensory peripheral neuropathy. I was trained as a clinical and molecular pharmacologist and have been involved in pharmacogenetics research for many years. I was an investigator on the Pharmacogenetics of Membrane Transporters project, part of the NIH-sponsored Pharmacogenetics Research Network (PGRN), from 2000-2015, focusing largely on pharmacogenomics of multidrug resistance transporters. Our current focus is on taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy. We use state-of-the-art genomic approaches, such as genome-wide genotyping and next-generation sequencing, to identify genetic biomarkers of drug toxicity and response. Clinical samples largely come from studies within the CALGB/Alliance clinical trial group. Functional genomic studies use cellular systems and model organisms to functionally characterize genetic variants of interest. Collaborative efforts are also ongoing to understand the molecular basis of variability in response to HDAC inhibitors.
Research Funding
April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2026 - Sphingolipid Signaling and Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: R01CA261068
October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2022 - The Role of Genomics in Postoperative Delirium and Sedation , Co-investigator leading the genomic analyses . Sponsor: NIH/NINR, Sponsor Award ID: R01 NR017622
July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2022 - Developing Silastic-Silicone for the Local Delivery of Hormonal Therapy to Prevent and Treat Breast Cancer , Co-Investigator . Sponsor: NIH/NCI, Sponsor Award ID: R01 CA220131
July 1, 1982 - June 30, 2022 - Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH/NIGMS, Sponsor Award ID: T32 GM007175-41
Education
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, B.S., 1985, Pharmacy
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, Ph.D., 1990, Pharmaceutics
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 1990-1993, Drug Metabolism