Mentors by Primary Department

Miles Berger, MD, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Anesthesiology
Secondary Department: Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Center for the Study of Aging & Human Development
Research Statement: Dr. Berger's team studies the cellular and molecular pathways that play a role in postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction, and their underlying brain network connectivity changes, in older adults. These studies will identify novel drug targets for improving postoperative cognitive function in the ~16 million Americans over age 60 who undergo anesthesia and surgery each year.

Sven-Eric Jordt, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Anesthesiology
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Jordt studies how the nervous system senses painful stimuli and environmental chemical exposures, with the goal to identify new analgesics and anti-inflammatory interventions for conditions such as chronic pain, asthma and contact dermatitis.

Madan M Kwatra, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Anesthesiology
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Kwatra's laboratory focuses on developing drugs for glioblastoma. The preclinical work is performed in my laboratory at Duke and clinical studies are performed at multiple centers including the Johns Hopkins, Wake Forest School of Medicine, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Andrea G Nackley, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Anesthesiology
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Nackley applies a translational approach in mouse and man to identify genetic, biologic, and environmental factors that drive chronic pain. These studies will identify unexploited targets for the development of new drugs as well as optimize the efficacy of existing compounds to improve pharmacologic management of maladaptive chronic pain conditions. 

Hashim Al-Hashimi, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Biochemistry
Secondary Department: Chemistry
Research Statement:  

Richard G. Brennan, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Biochemistry
Research Statement: Dr. Brennan uses structural, biochemical and cellular methodologies to understand the molecular bases of multidrug resistance, multidrug tolerance, bacterial pathogenicity and virulence, and the role of the trehalose biosynthetic pathway in fungal virulence.

Meta Kuehn, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Biochemistry
Secondary Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Research Statement: Dr. Kuehn uses biochemical, microbiological and genetic characterization to understand the biogenesis and functions of extracellular vesicles ubiquitously secreted by pathogenic bacteria.  These studies will reveal key bacterial virulence factors that can be targeted with novel antimicrobial therapeutics. 

Kenichi Yokoyama, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Biochemistry
Secondary Department: Chemistry
Research Statement: Dr. Yokoyama's group studies the biosynthesis and mode of action of naturally occurring antifungal, antibacterial and anticancer molecules. 

Ashutosh Chilkoti, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Biomedical Engineering
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement:  

Charles Gersbach, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Biomedical Engineering
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Dr. Gersbach's laboratory develops new genome engineering technologies and applies them to gene therapy, stem cell programming, and the study of genome structure and function, including epigenetics of complex disease. 

Michael D Lynch, MD, PhD
Lab Web site
Primary Department: Biomedical Engineering
Secondary Department:Chemistry
Research Statement: We work to develop process technology for the scalable high throughput production of small molecule drugs as well as based therapeutics. Current projects include the development of post-translationally modified (acylated) proteins, enzymatic therapies and diversification of natural products. 

Nimmi Ramanujam, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Biomedical Engineering
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement:  

Tatiana Segura, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Biomedical Engineering
Secondary Department: Neurology, Dermatology
Research Statement: Dr. Segura designs drug delivery strategies for peptides, proteins, nuclei acids and small molecules utilizing synthetic polymers or naturally occurring polymers. Dr. Segura also designs extracellular matrix mimics to promote endogenous tissue repair in brain and skin wounds. 

Lingchong You, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Biomedical Engineering
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Dr. You uses a combination of computational and experimental approaches to elucidate how microbial communities respond to environmental perturbations. The insights learned from these analyses can guide the design of drug treatments to combat bacterial pathogens. 

Fan Yuan, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Biomedical Engineering
Secondary Department: Ophthalmology
Research Statement: Our research is focused on drug and gene delivery. The goal is to improve treatment of cancer and eye with drugs, genes, and engineered cells.
Cell and Tissue Biomechanics; Electric Field Mediated Gene Delivery 

Yarui Diao, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Cell Biology
Secondary Department: Orthopaedic Surgery
Research Statement: We are a functional genomics lab, developing and applying cutting-edge functional genomics and genome engineering tools to understand the transcriptional regulatory circuits in tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis. 

Purushothama Rao Tata, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Cell Biology
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Dr. Tata lab studies the role of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms controlling the identity and fates of cells during regeneration and tumorigenesis. These studies will identify novel therapeutic approaches to target lung diseases and lung cancers. 

Emily Derbyshire, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Chemistry, Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement:  

Katherine J. Franz, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Chemistry
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Dr. Franz studies the structural and functional consequences of metal ion coordination in biological systems. She is particularly interested in understanding the coordination chemistry utilized by biology to manage essential yet toxic species like copper and iron. Understanding these principles further guides our development of new chemical tools to manipulate biological metal ion location, speciation, and reactivity for potential therapeutic benefit. 

Amanda E. Hargrove, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Chemistry
Secondary Department: Biochemistry
Research Statement: Dr. Hargrove is harnessing the power of chemistry to study the role of noncoding RNAs in diseases such as metastatic cancer and has identified methods to target these RNA with drug-like small molecules. This work has the potential to open up an entirely new class of therapeutic targets for cancer as well as viral and bacterial infections. 

Steven J. Malcolmson, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Chemistry
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Dr. Malcolmson develops new transition metal-catalyzed chemical reactions to prepare medicinally useful small molecule building blocks with high levels of stereoselectivity. The lab studies key aspects of reaction mechanism within the context of these novel chemical transformations. 

Jennifer Roizen, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Chemistry
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Inspired by small molecule natural products, the Roizen laboratories has initiated research with a very long-term expectation that our research will improve access to antibiotics, and selective ion channel inhibitors, with implications for the study and treatment of cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. This program centers around the development of novel organic reaction methods, and where appropriate these methodologies will be advanced through mechanistic investigations. 

Qiu Wang, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Chemistry
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Research in the Wang group focuses on developing small-molecule based probes and chemical methods to understand genes and pathways of importance to the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, by an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the principles of organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, molecular imaging, assay development, molecular and cell biology 

Warren S. Warren, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Chemistry
Secondary Department: Physics, Biomedical Engineering
Research Statement: 

Francis Chan, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Immunology
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Dr. Chan studies cell death and inflammation in immune responses.  The lab uses biochemical, cell biological and genetic approaches to determine the role of cell death in inflammatory diseases, cancers and pathogen infections. 

Gerard Blobe, MD, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Medicine
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Blobe studies the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway and its complex role in cancer initiation and progression, with a goal of translating this knowledge into effective targeting of this pathway in human cancers. 

Jonathan Campbell, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Medicine
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement:

Mark Herman, MD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Medicine
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Herman studies mechanisms in humans and animal models by which metabolic tissues sense nutrients to regulate transcriptional programs that contribute to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

Matthew Hirschey, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Medicine
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Hirschey studies different aspects of metabolic control, mitochondrial signaling, and cellular processes regulating human health and disease.

Robert Lefkowitz, MD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Medicine
Secondary Department: Biochemistry
Research Statement: The focus of work in the Lefkowitz laboratory is on the elucidation of the molecular properties and regulatory mechanisms controlling the function of G protein-coupled receptors. The goal is to learn the general principles of signal transduction from the outside to the inside of the cell which are involved in systems as diverse as sensory perception, neuro- transmitter and hormonal signaling. 

Steven Patierno, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Medicine
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Patierno's laboratory studies the molecular genomics and biology underlying cancer disparities and the more aggressive characteristics of prostate, breast and lung cancer in different ancestral populations. The lab focuses on Alternative RNA Splicing as novel generator of biomarkers for aggressive disease and novel molecular targets for precision experimental therapeutics. 

David Pisetsky, MD, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Medicine
Secondary Department: Immunology
Research Statement: Dr. Pisetsky studies the mechanisms of autoimmunity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), characterizing the immune properties of DNA, an important target of autoreactivity in this disease.  In addition, he is investigating the binding properties of anti-DNA antibodies and their interactions with DNA antigen in the formation of pathogenic immune complexes.

Dorothy Sipkins, MD, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Medicine
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Sipkins studies the molecular characteristics of tissue microenvironments, or niches, that regulate the migration, survival and regeneration of cancerous cells. In combination with classical molecular and cell biology approaches, the lab utilizes state-of-the-art multiphoton and confocal optical imaging techniques to explore these questions in vivo, in real-time in mouse models of leukemia and breast cancer.

Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi, MD, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Chi studies how cancer cells adapt to the various tumor microenvironmental stresses and nutrient deprivations of solid tumors. These understandings will identify novel therapeutic approaches to target these tumor cells that often don't respond well to current therapeutics. 

Fred Dietrich PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Secondary Department: Biology
Research Statement: We study the genomics of S. cerevisiae and related fungi with a particular emphasis on identifying the function of genes still of unknown function with human orthologs. Many of the remaining genes of unknown function in S. cerevisiae appear to be enzymes conserved in other fungi, and thus are attractive potential anti-fungal targets. 

Nicholas Heaton, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Dr. Heaton genetically engineers RNA viruses to study aspects of viral-host interactions in order to better understand to to prevent viral diseases.  His group also uses similar engineering approaches to develop virally based biotherapeutics. 

Joseph Heitman, MD, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Secondary Department: Medicine, Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Heitman studies the targets and mechanisms of action of natural products with antifungal and antiproliferative activity, including rapamycin/sirolimus, FK506/tacrolimus, cyclosporin, and others.  In collaboration, the lab is harnessing structural biology to tailor natural products through medicinal chemistry to have reduced immunosuppressive activity yet retain antimicrobial activities as lead therapeutics. 

Dennis Ko, MD PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Secondary Department: Medicine
Research Statement: Dr. Ko studies natural genetic variation regulating infectious disease. These genetic differences reveal basic insights into host-pathogen interactions and possible targets for therapeutic strategies. 

Craig Lowe, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Dr. Lowe applies technological innovations to better understand regions of our genome that are unique to humans.  These genomic regions have led to important adaptations, but also left us susceptible to certain diseases. 

Hiroaki Matsunami, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Secondary Department: Neurobiology
Research Statement: Dr. Matsunami studies molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the sense of smell. Our research aims to deepen our understanding of how humans and animals detect and discriminate tens of thousands of odorous chemicals using hundreds of receptors expressed in olfactory neurons. 

Raphael Valdivia, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Dr. Valdivia studies how the microbiome promote health and disease in their human hosts.  From a drug discovery perspective, we are particularly interested in identifying what residents gut microbes promote immune homeostasis and the microbial compounds that mediate theses activities. 

Goldis Malek, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Ophthalmology
Secondary Department: Pathology
Research Statement: Dr. Malek's lab uses a variety of tools including human donor tissue and animal models to investigate signaling pathways driving the pathogenesis of ocular blinding diseases, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets. 

Vasanth Rao, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Ophthalmology
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement:  

Soman N Abraham, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Pathology
Secondary Department: Immunology
Research Statement: Dr. Abraham  is  investigating novel small molecule inhibitors of mast cells, which are immune cells implicated in various inflammatory disorders including allergy and asthma where there are currently no effective therapies 

Maureane Hoffman, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Pathology
Secondary Department: Immunology
Research Statement: Dr Hoffman applies in vitro and ex vivo models to study hemostasis and illuminate mechanisms of pro- and anti-coagulant therapeutics.This allows us to determine the best uses of existing therapies design new ones. 

Herman F. Staats, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Pathology
Secondary Department: Immunology
Research Statement: Dr. Staats uses cell-based screening assays to identify molecules able to activate specific cells of the  immune system.   Molecules able to activate immune cells are tested in vitro and in vivo for their ability to enhance immune responses to vaccines. 

Corinne Linardic, MD, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Pediatrics
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Linardic uses biochemical, genetic and translational approaches to identify and target pathogenic mutations and their dysregulation in the childhood skeletal muscle cancer rhabdomyosarcoma. 

Chris Counter, PhD 
Primary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Secondary Department: Radiation Oncology
Research Statement:The laboratory studies focuses on identifying and developing inhibitors against novel therapeutic targets in oncogenic RAS signaling. 

Don Fox, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Secondary Department: Cell Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Fox studies the biology of cells with whole genome duplications. We take a diverse approach that includes genetics, cell biology, and pharmacology. 

Sarah Goetz, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Secondary Department: Cell Biology
Research Statement: The Goetz lab studies the role of primary cilia in cellular signaling and how its disruption causes diseases such as neurodegenerative conditions. Through understanding the requirements for cilia and ciliary signaling and human disease, we hope to identify new targets for therapies. 

Michael Kastan, MD, PhD 
Primary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Secondary Department: Pediatrics
Research Statement: The Kastan lab studies stress response pathways in mammalian cells, particularly DNA damage signaling responses. Well known for contributions to our understanding of the p53 and ATM tumor suppressor genes, current activities also include development of novel therapeutics targeting signaling steps in stress response pathways.

Cynthia Kuhn, PhD 
Primary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Dr. Kuhn is studying the ability of an allosteric modulator of a glutamate receptor as a potential medication for treatment of opioid dependence. 

David MacAlpine, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: Our research program is focused on understanding how the start sites of DNA replication are selected and regulated in the context of the local chromatin environment to maintain genomic stability and to ensure the accurate inheritance of genetic and epigenetic information. 

Donald McDonnell, PhD 
Primary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Secondary Department: Medicine
Research Statement: Dr. McDonnell uses biochemical, genetic, and chemical biological approaches to define targetable regulatory steps in estrogen, androgen, progesterone, and estrogen-related receptor signaling pathways in cancer. 

Ann Marie Pendergast, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Secondary Department: 
Research Statement: The long-term goal of the research in the Pendergast lab is to define the pathways that integrate activation of growth factor, chemokine and adhesion receptors to the regulation of morphogenesis, cell polarity, growth, differentiation, adhesion, and migration during cancer and the response to injury. More recently, the focus is on defining the mechanisms that promote metastasis to the brain, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets to treat brain metastases. 

Kris Wood, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Secondary Department: Biomedical Engineering
Research Statement: Dr. Wood uses genomic and chemical biological approaches to define the pathways that control survival and drug responses in genetically-defined tumor types.

Zhao Zhang, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: ZZ-Lab investigates the impact and regulation of transposons during oogenesis and intestinal development, aiming to uncover their influence on reproduction, development, and disease, such as cancer.

Edward D. Levin, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Levin investigates the adverse neurobehavioral effects of exposure to drugs of abuse and environmental pollutants. He and his lab also develop new therapy treatments for the adverse effects. 

Kathleen A. Welsh-Bohmer, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Secondary Department: Neurology
Research Statement: Dr Welsh-Bohmer directs clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease and other late-life cognitive disorders.  The methods her team have been developing are important for detecting reliable and meaningful cognitive and functional changes within health adults who may be in the preclinical, silent stages of Alzheimer's disease. 

Scott Floyd, MD, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Radiation Oncology
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Our lab focuses on studying mechanisms of DNA damage signaling and repair in human and other mammalian cells.  We are particularly interested in the role of epigenetic modifiers and the chromatin state in how cells repair DNA damage. Acquiring deeper knowledge about how cancer cells repair DNA damage, and how cancer cell DNA repair differers from repair in normal tissue can lead to improved cancer treatments in the clinic. 

David Kirsch MD, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Radiation Oncology
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Kirsch uses genetically engineered mouse models to study cancer development as well as tumor and normal tissue response to radiation therapy. 

Edward (Ned) Patz, PhD
Lab Web site 
Primary Department: Radiology
Secondary Department: Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Research Statement: Dr. Patz studies anti-tumor immunity and is developing novel human derived antibodies for the treatment of cancer.