|
Mirna Mina-Abouda, M.S.Ph.D. StudentSCIENCE Mirna is investigating cadmium-sequestering metallothionein proteins and evaluating their previously uncharacterized tumor suppressor phenotypes. She is evaluating metabolic and signal transduction pathways altered in low vs. high metallothionein cancer cells, using carefully controlled genetic models.
HOBBY Mirna likes to take her dog to the park, do yoga, cook Mediterranean food, and travel with her husband |
|
Robert Hutchinson, M.D.Medical Fellow, Gynecologic OncologySCIENCE Robert is investigating SUMO E3 ligases and their role in chemotherapy treatment. He is identifying how topoisomerase inhibitors may be better utilized to selectively kill cancer cells, based on the genetics of enzymes within this molecular pathway.
HOBBY Robert enjoys spending time outdoors either hiking (though he hasn't found any mountains here here), running, or playing any team sports, but especially volleyball or soccer. At home, he enjoys reading, cooking/baking, and spending time with his cat, Baxter |
|
Heather Ghent, B.S.Research SpecialistSCIENCE Heather is investigating cadmium-sequestering metallothionein proteins and evaluating their previously uncharacterized tumor suppressor phenotypes. She is building off of past research in the Delaney lab that established the role of aneuploid-suppressed autophagy as a targetable vulnerability of ovarian cancer, as metallothionein tumor suppression is also suppressed by aneuploidy. Heather is working with our newly developed mouse model Trp53em1Jdel_Tg(Ovgp1-Trp53*R270H-Myc) and breeding mice to develop transgenic mice with metallothionein knockdowns to access how metallothionein knockdown contributes to tumor development and novel vulnerabilities in transgenic mice.
HOBBY Heather likes concert-going, karaoke, writing, and makeup |
|
Della Evans, B.S.Research SpecialistSCIENCE Della is investigating how the lifecycle of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) are regulated by individual genes. She is utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 screening using functional isolations of lifecycle populations to determine essential PGCC genes. Since PGCCs form under a variety of stresses, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, allowing cancer cells to evade treatment, discovery of such processes may enable a new generation of cell-targeted therapies for oncologists to use.
HOBBY Hiking, baking, and guitar |
|
Evan VillamorUndergraduate Researcher, College of CharlestonSCIENCE Evan is discovering how to utilize the vulnerabilities created by allelic loss of metallothioneins in cancer cells. He is utilizing high-throughput viability assays, mechanized multi-well live- and fixed-cell fluorescent microscopy, and blotting techniques to evaluate FDA-approved and novel small molecules.
HOBBY Evan enjoys doing random arts and crafts projects like bedazzling and painting. He also loves thrifting, taking pictures, window shopping, and watching anime and random movies |
|
Kuma, Ph.D., M.S., M.B.A, Pharm.D.Hunter extraordinaireSCIENCE Current projects involve determining how to optimally acquire food. Hypotheses involve when humans are looking or otherwise distracted by small children. Eye contact is mandatory. Independent thought is overrated - team science is necessary.
HOBBY Greeting anyone, any time |
Principal Investigator
Joe Delaney, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
The Medical University of South Carolina
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
delaneyj [at ] musc.edu
Associate Professor
The Medical University of South Carolina
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
delaneyj [at ] musc.edu
Mentoring Philosophy
I am committed to ensuring the pursuit of science helps both the lab and the scientists involved in the research. Important aspects of scientific career building include not only acquiring cutting-edge technical skills, time management ability, and publications, but also being able to apply and obtain fellowships and grants. It is a high priority of mine to foster these pursuits for all levels of trainees: undergraduates to post-docs and beyond.
Team building in science also requires people to treat each other with courtesy and respect. In my lab, there are no dumb questions.
Each person here is mentored in a way which bests matches their personality. Introverts and extroverts are similarly welcome. Underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged to apply for any open positions; I have mentored people from many backgrounds.
Team building in science also requires people to treat each other with courtesy and respect. In my lab, there are no dumb questions.
Each person here is mentored in a way which bests matches their personality. Introverts and extroverts are similarly welcome. Underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged to apply for any open positions; I have mentored people from many backgrounds.
Education and Training
|
Duke University
Post-doctoral training Mentor: Al La Spada, M.D., Ph.D. University of California San Diego Post-doctoral training Moores Cancer Center Mentor: Dwayne Stupack, Ph.D. Grant title: “Copy number alterations in low mutation cancer” |
University of Washington
Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology Mentor: Matt Kaeberlein, Ph.D. Thesis: "Elucidation of the molecular pathways of lifespan extension by dietary restriction in yeast" University of California: Berkeley B.S., Chemical Biology |