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<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\nResearch Associate Professor<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Ph.D. (Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences)<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dr. Youjun Wu<\/b><\/p>\n Postdoctoral Researcher<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Ph.D. (Dartmouth College)<\/span><\/p>\n Research Focus: Studying the interactions between tumor intrinsic interferon signaling and chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer<\/span><\/p>\n Publications:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=Yjae4WUAAAAJ&hl=en<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dr. Arjun Tiwari<\/b><\/p>\n Postdoctoral Researcher<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Chemistry (Tribhuvan University, Nepal)<\/span><\/p>\n Master of Biomedical Science (Jeonbuk National University, South Korea)<\/span><\/p>\n Ph.D. in Bionanosystem Engineering (Jeonbuk National University, South Korea)<\/span><\/p>\n 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<\/span> and vitamin B6 metabolism<\/span>,<\/b> 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<\/span>.<\/b><\/p>\n My earlier research focused on the development of extracellular matrix\u2013mimicking 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<\/span> and the<\/span> design and application of nanomaterials for biomedical and therapeutic applications.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Publications:<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=g9F5tBAAAAAJ&hl=en<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zeren Kiremitci<\/b><\/p>\n PhD Student<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Bioengineering (Izmir University of Economics, T\u00fcrkiye)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Research Focus: My research focuses on how pancreatic cancer cells adopt their metabolism under chemotherapy and how targeting these pathways may improve treatment outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n Publications:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n proteome in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Frontiers in Nutrition<\/span><\/i>, 2024, doi:<\/span><\/p>\n 10.3389\/fnut.2024.1492380\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Drug- Repurposing Approach<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Experimed<\/span><\/i>, 2023,<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/doi.org\/10.26650\/experimed.1358971<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Science<\/span><\/i>, 2022, <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.20883\/medical.e656<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Madison Greene<\/b><\/p>\n PhD Student<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n B.S. in Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte<\/span><\/p>\n Graduate Certificate in Teaching Secondary Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte<\/span><\/p>\n Project: TBD<\/span><\/p>\n Undergraduate Student\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Pursuing a B.S. in Biology<\/span><\/p>\n Expected Graduation Year: 2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mentor: Dr. Arjun Tiwari<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kaitlyn Bruno<\/b><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n\n
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\n<\/span>Morgan Callicutt<\/b><\/p>\n<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n