Cancer Pharmacology Research efforts in cancer pharmacology include studies of the basic mechanisms of signal transduction associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis, the mechanisms of action of anti-neoplastic agents, the design and discovery of new drugs, basic mechanisms of DNA repair and DNA damage tolerance and the development of novel strategies for gene therapy Emphasis is placed on the description and characterization of basic signaling mechanisms that constitute the targets of molecules used for cancer therapy and DNA damage and repair mechanisms that contribute to anti-neoplastic drug resistance. The regulation of tyrosine kinases, processing of proto-oncogenes, regulation of small GTPases and their effectors, cell-cycle-specific kinases and DNA repair gene products are being studied as potential targets or to enhance the efficacy of existing chemotherapeutic agents. The role of growth factors in the progression of solid and hematopoietic tumors is being studied; new receptors and signal transduction pathways are being identified in normal and malignant tissues. Other areas of research include investigations on interleukin therapy, free radical generation, molecular mechanisms of antioxidant regulation and detoxification, aberrations in the mechanisms of programmed cell death (apoptosis) associated with tumoral growth and alterations in DNA repair and DNA damage response genes associated with tumor growth and chemotherapeutic resistance. Faculty Aird, Katherine Associate Professor kaa140@pitt.edu 412-623-7709 Altschuler, Daniel Associate Professor G-protein signaling mechanisms in mitogenesis and oncogenesis altschul@pitt.edu 412.648.9751 Buj-Gomez, Raquel Research Assistant Professor rbg19@pitt.edu 412-623-3241 Galbiati, Ferruccio Professor & Vice Chair for ResearchSignal transduction mechanisms in muscular dystrophy and ageing/cancer. feg5@pitt.edu 412-648-2047 Gelhaus, Stacy Associate Professor; Scientific Director, Health Sciences Mass Spectrometry Core gstacy@pitt.edu 412-648-1351 Hahm, Eun-Ryeong Research Instructor euh2@pitt.edu 412-623-3262 Huang, Yi Assistant Professor yih26@pitt.edu 412-641-3589 Jiang, Yu ProfessorSignaling mechanisms for cell growth control; Regulation of protein kinases and phosphatases yuj5@pitt.edu 412-648-3390 Nechemia-Arbely, Yael Assistant ProfessorResearch in the lab is focused on understanding the structure, composition and maintenance of the epigenetically defined human centromeres. arbelyy@upmc.edu 412-623-3228 Neumann, Carola Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Precision and Translational Pharmacology can44@pitt.edu 412-641-7725 O'Sullivan, Roderick Associate ProfessorStudy of the consequences that defective chromatin assembly and altered epigenetic mechanisms may have in cancer and aging. osullivanr@upmc.edu 412-623-4063 Oesterreich, Steffi Professor, The Shear Family Foundation Chair in Breast Cancer ResearchMolecular mechanism and clinical relevance of endocrine response in breast cancer oesterreichs@upmc.edu 412-641-8555 Sharrow, Allison Research Assistant Professor AllisonSharrow@pitt.edu Singh, Shivendra Professor and UPMC Chair in Cancer Prevention ResearchThe Singh laboratory focuses on preclinical and clinical investigations of novel agents derived from dietary (eg, broccoli) and medicinal plants (eg, Withania somnifera) for chemoprevention of cancers. svs2@pitt.edu 412-623-3262 Stabile, Laura Research Associate Professor stabilela@upmc.edu 412-623-2015 Trebak, Mohamed Professor trebakm@pitt.edu 412-648-1381 Wang, Qiming Jane ProfessorTargeting protein kinase D by small molecular inhibitors for cancer therapy; signaling mechanisms of protein kinase D in cancer. qjw1@pitt.edu 412-383-7754