Research Projects & Grants

Federal

  • LLU Center for Health Disparities Research, Role: Researcher, National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities/NIH/NIMHD, (07/2012 - 01/2020) Status: Closed
  • Survivin in the tumor microenvironment, Role: Research Associate, National Medical Technology Testbed, Inc., (02/2009 - 05/2010) Status: Closed

Internal

  • GCAT - Differential genetic alterations on vitamin D metabolic pathway in thyroid cancer health disparities, Role: PD/PI, LLU School of Medicine, (01/2021 - 12/2024) Status: Closed
  • School of Medicine Seed Money Award, Role: Research Associate, LLU School of Medicine, (02/2009 - 05/2010) Status: Closed

Other Research

  • Pregnancy and COVID-19 Cancer and COVID-19 (04/2021 - 10/2021)
  • Group projects on:  Pregnancy and Covid-19 Cancer and COVID-19   (03/2021 - 08/2021)
  • NCI/R-21 (Role: PI) (submitted) NCI RO3 grant 2016 (Role: PI): Submitted (February cycle) NIMHD RO3 grant 2016 (Role: PI): Submitted (scored but not funded) NIH P20/Pilot project 2: PI: Salma Khan (Submitted, reviewed) DOD CDMRP Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) LOI June 2013 (Role: PI) NCI RO3 grant 2012 (Role: PI) NCI K award 2011 (K-22) (Role: PI) Department of Defense (DOD) breast cancer research idea award in 2011 (Role: PI) Hirschberg foundation, June 2009 P20MD001632         De Leon (PI)                                               07/01/2012-06/30/2017 Sponsor: NIH/NIGMS                                          Project title: Loma Linda University Center for Health Disparities Research Goal: To use innovative approaches to eliminate cancer health disparities Role: Key person as new investigator to establish a pilot project   Completed Research Support (Last 16 years) P20MD001632             De Leon (PI)                                                     07/01/2012-06/30/2017  Sponsor: NIH/NIGMS                                           Aim#3:Proteomic analysis of exosomal stress proteins in prostate cancer health disparities (Wall) Goal: Identify serum derived exosomes and stress proteins in African American patients compared to Caucasians and use these markers for early detection of prostate cancer in African American populations. Role: Key person   P20MD000988                                 De Leon (PI)                                   09/01/2006-06/30/2010 Sponsor: NIH/NIGMS Role of Survivin in pancreatic cancer (Wall, Co-I) The goal of this study was to identify stress oncoprotein Survivin and its role in metastasis, invasiveness, and chemoresistance. Role: Researcher   R01 HD-047603/HD                                       Pisarska (PI)                                 06/01/2006-2011 Sponsor: NIH/NICHD                     Title: Regulation of forkhead L2 gene by LATS1 phosphorylation in granulosa cells Goal: Identify the regulatory gene of FOXL2 in granulosa cells in premature ovarian failure. Role: Co-Investigator   8KB-0011                                                            Bose (PI)                     01/02/2003-09/30/2004 Sponsor: California Breast Cancer Research                   Title: Role of PTEN in progression of ductal carcinoma in situ Goal: Identify the mechanism of loss of PTEN in breast cancer patients. Role: Key person   Intramural Current Research grants:   Division of Head & Neck Research fund        Khan (PI)          01/01/2017-01/01/2022               Sponsor:  Otolaryngology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine: $30,000/year for 5 years ($150,000) Project Title: A novel oncoprotein differentially regulates progression from well differentiated to poorly differentiated aggressive phenotype Goal: Identify a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for mutation negative thyroid cancers. Role: PI   Riverside University Health System (RUHS) private fund:  Khan (PI) $12,000/yr, 2018-2020 Project title: Thyroid Carcinogenesis and pathway analysis. Goal: Identify a novel pathway in thyroid cancer oncogenesis and treatment for anaplastic thyroid cancer. Role: PI   Past: DAMD 17-97-2-7016                                                       Wall (PI)                         02/19/09-05/30/10 Sponsor:National Medical Test Bed (NMTB) Title: Role of extracellular survivin in cancer Goal: Identify extracellular survivin and its role in cancer aggressiveness Role: Key Person   Internal Women in Health                                  Pisarska (PI)               10/11/2004-08/31/2006 Sponsor: Helping Hand of Los Angeles Title: Regulation of forkhead L2 gene by LATS1 phosphorylation in granulosa cells Regulation of endometrial cells in endometriosis Goal: To produce preliminary data to identify genes responsible for premature ovarian failure and infertility related to endometrial cellular adhesion defects. Role: Key person   (04/2012)
  • Ovarian cancer early diagnostic tools (12/2021 - Present)
  • Cervical cancer in Nigeria (10/2021 - Present)
  • Ovarian Cancer: Genomic Instability, MicroRNAs, and AI-Driven Biomarkers High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is a highly lethal disease with limited therapeutic options. My research addresses two unmet needs: understanding microRNA/genomic instability and equity-driven biomarker discovery. MicroRNA Signatures: We identified miRNA patterns associated with genomic instability distinguishing high-grade from low-grade tumors (Muinde et al., Trends in Cancer Research, 2024). These signatures hold promise for risk stratification and therapy response prediction. AI-Enhanced Morphometrics: Leveraging machine learning, we discovered cellular morphometric biomarkers that reveal unique tumor immune microenvironments in African ancestry HGSOC tissues (Muinde et al., Mol Cancer Res, under review). This approach highlights how AI-guided pathology can reveal ancestry-linked TME differences and inform immunotherapy strategies. These studies exemplify my focus on integrating computational discovery with biological interpretation to improve diagnostics and advance precision oncology.  Cross-Cancer and Interdisciplinary Contributions Beyond thyroid and ovarian cancers, my collaborative work spans prevention, nanomedicine, and global oncology: Vitamin D and Cancer Prevention: Reviews on vitamin D signaling in liver cancer (Lamia et al., J BMANA, 2025) and colorectal cancer (Tamanna et al., Disease & Research, 2024) highlight its role as a modifiable pathway in oncogenesis. Nanomedicine: A study on silver nanoparticle–DNA interactions (Perry et al., J Nanopart Res, 2025) contributes to understanding nanoscale drug delivery mechanisms. Global Health Equity: A review of cervical cancer burden in Nigeria (Lawal et al., Gynecol Reprod Health, 2023) underscores the need for accessible screening and prevention in low-resource settings.   These works reflect my broader commitment to equity, prevention, and interdisciplinary collaboration in oncology.   (01/2024 - Present)