Research Associate Professor, Pharmacology | Associate Research Professor, Pharmacology - (Research Series Track)
Our team explores the roles of MAP Kinases, PI3-Kinase, mTOR/Akt and TLR4-induced signaling in the development of UV-induced non-melanoma skin cancer NMSC) We are examining the use of natural products or small molecule inhibitors of these targets to boost our efficiency at topically preventing NMSC. In collaboration with Dr. Georg Wondrak and Dr. Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski, we are focused upon understanding the role of Toll-like Receptor 4 TLR4) in UV-induced skin carcinogenesis. Our work suggests that TLR4 contributes to UV-induced stress signaling in keratinocytes and increases in expression during the progression from normal skin to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. TLR4 may therefore be an excellent target for chemoprevention of NMSC.