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)