UTMThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center · Biomedical Engineering
Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Lab
Jae-Il Park · Houston, Texas
Research Focus
Dr. Jae-Il Park's lab focuses on understanding the biology and treatment of aggressive cancers, specifically small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The lab employs cutting-edge model systems, including genetically engineered mouse models and organoids, to investigate how tumor suppressor genes and immune landscape remodeling affect cancer initiation and progression. By uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind these cancers, the lab aims to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve patient outcomes.
small cell lung canceresophageal squamous cell carcinomatumor suppressor genesimmunotherapyimmune landscapecell plasticityCRISPR technologygenetic engineeringcancer biology
Research Aims
5AIM 01Identify the molecular mechanisms driving small cell lung cancer initiation and progression.
AIM 02Characterize the role of CRACD in neuroendocrine cell plasticity during cancer development.
AIM 03Develop new model systems for studying esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
AIM 04Investigate how the loss of tumor suppressor genes initiates esophageal neoplasia.
AIM 05Explore strategies for remodeling the immune landscape to enhance cancer therapy.
Skills the Lab Values
genetically engineered mouse modelsCRISPRcell culturesingle-cell transcriptomicsorganoid cultureflow cytometryRNA sequencingimmunohistochemistrymolecular cloning
Output against the department
Publications167bottom 37% of dept.370th of 595
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations6.2kbottom 47% of dept.313th of 595
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.