Dr. Ru Zhou
Research Associate Professor
Ph.D. (Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Research Focus: 1) To develop novel, safe, and target-specific immunotherapies to defeat solid tumors; 2) To understand the tumor resistance mechanisms towards therapies and identify combinatorial candidates to overcome the challenges. Recent interests are in tumor MUC1-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-engineered T cell therapy and bispecific antibody-redirected T cell therapy in pancreatic cancer and triple-negative breast cancer.
Dr. Youjun Wu
Postdoctoral Researcher
Ph.D. (Dartmouth College)
Research Focus: Studying the interactions between tumor intrinsic interferon signaling and chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer
Publications:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Yjae4WUAAAAJ&hl=en
Dr. Arjun Tiwari
Postdoctoral Researcher
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Chemistry (Tribhuvan University, Nepal)
Master of Biomedical Science (Jeonbuk National University, South Korea)
Ph.D. in Bionanosystem Engineering (Jeonbuk National University, South Korea)
Research Focus: I am currently investigating the mechanisms of chemotherapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer cells using a metabolomics-based approach. Our ongoing study has identified several metabolic targets, including metabolites associated with N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid) biosynthesis and vitamin B6 metabolism, as potential contributors to chemoresistance. This work is being carried out in collaboration with graduate students and undergraduate researchers and aims to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms linking these metabolic pathways to therapeutic resistance. Ultimately, this study will establish a foundation for future research focused on enhancing chemotherapy and immunotherapy sensitivity and improving treatment outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients. In parallel, I am working on a project evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of an MVA-MUC1 vaccine in combination with Gemcitabine in a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) model using MUC1 transgenic mice.
My earlier research focused on the development of extracellular matrix–mimicking three-dimensional porous scaffolds to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. In addition, I have contributed to the development of nanoparticle- and nanofiber-based anticancer drug delivery systems for localized cancer therapy. Overall, my research interests center on understanding chemoresistance mechanisms in cancer and the design and application of nanomaterials for biomedical and therapeutic applications.
Beyond research, I am actively engaged in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. My mentorship activities include supporting students in experimental design, data acquisition, data analysis, and the successful execution of independent research studies.
Publications:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=g9F5tBAAAAAJ&hl=en
Zeren Kiremitci
PhD Student
Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Bioengineering (Izmir University of Economics, Türkiye)
Research Focus: My research focuses on how pancreatic cancer cells adopt their metabolism under chemotherapy and how targeting these pathways may improve treatment outcomes.
Publications:
- The biochemical effects of carotenoids in orange carrots on the colonic
proteome in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity, Frontiers in Nutrition, 2024, doi:
10.3389/fnut.2024.1492380
- Exploring PI3K Pathway Inhibitors for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A
Drug- Repurposing Approach, Experimed, 2023,
https://doi.org/10.26650/experimed.1358971
- Molecular characterization of multiple myeloma, Journal of Medical
Science, 2022, https://doi.org/10.20883/medical.e656
Madison Greene
PhD Student
B.S. in Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Graduate Certificate in Teaching Secondary Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Project: TBD
Morgan Callicutt
Undergraduate Student
Pursuing a B.S. in Biology
Expected Graduation Year: 2026
Mentor: Dr. Arjun Tiwari
Research Focus: My research focuses on CRISPR-Mediated Knockout of N-acetylneuraminic Acid Phosphatase/N-acetylneuraminic Acid Synthase to investigate sialic acid-dependent chemotherapy response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells.
Kaitlyn Bruno
Undergraduate Student
Pursuing a B.S. in Biology
Expected Graduation Year: 2026
Mentor: Dr. Youjun Wu
Research Focus: I am currently testing the impact of IFN-γ on various cell lines treated with various chemotherapy drugs. This will determine if IFN-γ causes cells to be more susceptible to the killing done by different drugs.
Sophia Tarlton
Undergraduate Student
Pursuing a B.S. in Biology
Expected Graduation Year: 2026
Mentor: Dr. Ru Zhou
Research Focus: TBD
Alexia McDevitt
Research Assistant
B.S. in Genetics, North Carolina State University
My job entails Genotyping (DNA Extraction, PCR, e-Gel), mouse colony maintenance, general housekeeping and ordering supplies for the laboratory.