Research Projects & Grants

College/University

  • Oxidative DNA Damage and CpG Mutagenesis (Minority Supplement), Role: Principal Investigator, University of California, Riverside, (03/2012 - 02/2015) Status: Closed

Federal

  • LLU-NIH Initiative for Maximizing Student Development, Role: Other Significant Contributor, National Institute of General Medical Sciences/NIH/DHHS, (01/2018 - 12/2023) Status: Closed
  • Base pairing and mutagenesis, Role: Co-PD/PI, National Institutes of Health/DHHS, (12/2006 - 11/2009) Status: Closed

Internal

  • MC - 18F-FAPI PET as a novel non-invasive tool for imaging triple negative breast cancer, Role: PD/PI, LLU - GRASP, (01/2020 - 12/2022) Status: Closed
  • Inv. Int - Targeting putative stemness biomarker alpha6-integrin to reverse Tamoxifen resistance, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Medicine, (06/2018 - 06/2019) Status: Completed
  • AhR agonist analogs as novel agents to treat refractory breast cancer, Role: PD/PI, LLU - GRASP, (03/2017 - 08/2020) Status: Closed
  • Targeting putative stemness biomarker alpha6 integrin to reverse Tamoxifen resistance, Role: PD/PI, LLU School of Medicine, (02/2016 - 01/2018) Status: Closed
  • Cytoglobin gene reactivation as a novel strategy to treat breast cancer, Role: Other (Specify), LLU School of Medicine, (01/2012 - 12/2014) Status: Closed

Other Research

  • Mechanisms of anticancer activity for the anticancer drug candidates Aminoflavone and 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole (07/2005 - 09/2006)
  • The Alpha 6-integrin as a target for endocrine therapy resistance in breast cancer This research project aims to delineate the role of alpha-6 integrin in endocrine resistance in breast cancer.  Our research findings should provide a basis for future studies to establish the alpha 6 integrin as a prognostic biomarker for patients with breast cancer who undergo endocrine therapy and as a therapeutic target to enhance endocrine therapy efficacy and thwart endocrine resistance.  This should in turn help to improve clinical survival for patients who experience relapse on endocrine therapy. (07/2022 - Present)
  • Mechanisms of redox regulation of anticancer activity of novel aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists.  Co-investigators: Willie Davis, Ph.D., Lancelot McLean, Ph.D.*Cheri Watkins* Our current research project focuses on the role oxidative stress and related signaling pathways play in mediating the anticancer activity of novel aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists.  In particular, our group evaluates the role redox signaling pathways play in mediating DNA damage and apoptosis induced by aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists. (09/2005 - Present)