I am a Professor of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology at the University of Chicago, where my laboratory studies how cancer cells respond to stress and how we can exploit those responses to improve cancer treatment. My research draws on a broad background in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and bioengineering, with a longstanding interest in developing new technologies to answer biological questions.

I trained in biochemistry and bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania and completed both my MD and PhD at Stanford University. After postdoctoral training in genetics at the Whitehead Institute at MIT, I joined the faculty at the University of Chicago in 1995. Over the years, my laboratory has explored a wide range of problems, from the regulation of cell division and chromosome biology to the mechanisms by which cells detect and repair damage to their DNA.

Much of our current work focuses on understanding why some cancers resist radiation and chemotherapy, and how treatments that damage tumor cells can also stimulate the immune system. We are particularly interested in cellular senescence, a state in which damaged cells stop dividing but remain biologically active. Although senescence can prevent cancer cells from proliferating, we have found that senescent tumor cells can also stimulate immune responses that help eliminate cancer. We are investigating ways to harness these responses while overcoming the mechanisms tumors use to escape immune attack.

Another major interest is telomerase, an enzyme best known for maintaining the ends of chromosomes. We are studying its less familiar roles in helping cancer cells survive treatment and developing inhibitors that may make tumors more vulnerable to radiation and chemotherapy.

Throughout my career, I have enjoyed working at the intersection of basic science and technology development. Alongside our cancer research, we develop tools for studying and manipulating nucleic acids, including technologies relevant to gene editing and emerging therapeutics. I particularly enjoy mentoring young scientists and engineers and helping them recognize that inventing a new way to do an experiment can be as important as the discovery it enables.