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Wei Zhang — Dr. Wei Zhang's lab at Wake Forest University focuses on addressing health disparities in lung cancer treatment, particularly between Black and White patients. The lab investigates how differences in tumor biology and metabolism affect treatment responses, aiming to develop novel therapeutic strategies that enhance immune responses in cancer. Their work combines cutting-edge genomic technologies and preclinical models to discover new ways to improve outcomes for underserved populations.
Beth A. Reboussin — Dr. Beth A. Reboussin's research focuses on the public health implications and effects of cannabis use, especially in the context of regulatory practices and patient outcomes. Her projects investigate how product packaging influences perceptions of cannabis edibles and how these products are used by cancer patients for symptom relief. By conducting experiments and longitudinal studies, her lab aims to provide insights that will inform safer consumption practices and state policy guidelines for cannabis use.
Michael A Nader — Dr. Michael Nader's lab focuses on understanding how social factors and sex differences influence cocaine use and addiction through studies on monkeys. By exploring the interactions between behavior, environment, and biology, the lab aims to identify effective treatment strategies for cocaine use disorders. The research could help develop personalized medicine approaches to better tackle drug addiction based on individual needs.
Katherine Loree Cook — Dr. Katherine Loree Cook's lab at Wake Forest University Health Sciences focuses on understanding how diet and the gut microbiome interact to influence breast cancer risk, particularly in obese individuals. The lab investigates how metabolites produced by gut bacteria, such as hippurate, can signal through specific receptors to reduce tumor growth and improve treatment responses. Through preclinical models and clinical studies, the research aims to uncover novel strategies to link diet, microbiome health, and cancer prevention.
Waldemar Debinski — Dr. Waldemar Debinski's lab focuses on innovative treatments for glioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive brain cancer. They are pioneering the use of drug conjugates that target specific receptors over-expressed in GBM cells, aiming to improve patient outcomes by combining direct tumor killing with immune system activation. The lab's research involves testing these therapies in preclinical models, which may pave the way for new clinical treatments.
Terrence R Stanford — Professor Terrence R Stanford's research lab focuses on understanding how the brain can recover from vision loss due to stroke or trauma, specifically hemianopia, a condition that causes blindness in one half of the visual field. The lab employs primate models to investigate a novel rehabilitation approach that combines visual and auditory cues to promote healing and improve visual capabilities. By exploring the neurobiological mechanisms involved in this rehabilitation, the lab aims to inform future treatments for patients with similar conditions and enhance their quality of life.
J. Mark Cline — Dr. J. Mark Cline's lab focuses on investigating the long-term effects of radiation exposure using a unique cohort of nonhuman primates. They explore how radiation affects health over time, looking at diseases like diabetes and heart conditions that develop after exposure. The lab collaborates with other researchers to share findings and improve our understanding of radiation injury, which is crucial for developing better emergency responses and treatments.
Gagan Deep — Dr. Gagan Deep's lab focuses on understanding Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through innovative methods like 'liquid biopsies'. They investigate how a special diet known as the Modified Mediterranean-Ketogenic Diet impacts brain function and biomarkers in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Their research also looks at how different types of brain cells communicate and contribute to the progression of dementia, especially considering diverse populations.
Marina Gorbatyuk — Dr. Marina Gorbatyuk's lab focuses on developing new therapies for diabetic retinopathy, a significant cause of vision loss in adults. The lab is investigating the use of small molecules called RXR agonists, which can target damaged retinal cells and may help reduce inflammation and improve lipid metabolism in the retina. By using innovative drug delivery methods directly to the retina, the lab aims to create sustainable treatments for this condition and understand how these treatments work at both the cellular and molecular levels.