Research Overview:
Work within my laboratory focuses on the prevention and treatment of lung cancer. Specifically, we seek to establish and understand the role of vitamin D metabolites in delaying lung tumor development and progression. Ongoing projects are designed to: (1) establish the role of dietary vitamin D3 in preventing lung cancer; (2) exploit vitamin D-mediated suppression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition to prevent failure of molecularly targeted agents in lung cancer; and (3) identify novel strategies for overcoming vitamin D resistance in molecularly defined subsets of lung cancer.
We also collaborate with investigators at the University of Buffalo to ascertain the effects of vitamin D3 intake on inspiratory muscle strength and exercise tolerance and the University of Pittsburgh to define the interplay between tobacco smoke exposure, vitamin D signaling, and inflammation-related lung diseases. To accomplish our research objectives, we employ cell culture models, contemporary genomic technologies, animal models, and innovative clinical trial designs.
Work in my laboratory is supported by NIH/NCI and the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.