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Research
My research interests span two areas. One of my research interests focuses on signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Current research is directed toward elucidation of the Notch signaling pathway and how dysregulation of this pathway leads to melanocytic transformation and melanoma progression. Moreover, I am interested in targeting tumor microenvironment, in particular, stromal fibroblasts and tumor vasculatures, through manipulating Notch signaling. My lab has recently identified Notch signaling to be a critical molecular switch in determining tumor regulatory role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and demonstrated that tumor-promoting role of CAF can be re-programmed and converted into tumor-suppressing by activation of the Notch pathway. The major goal of my research is to determine if the Notch pathway could be a potential therapeutic target for melanoma treatment. Another research interest of mine is on vascular biology, including (1) development of novel cell-based therapy and gene therapy for peripheral artery disease (PAD)/critical limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) and diabetic non-healing wounds; (2) development of targeted cell delivery platform based on signals and mechanisms underlying homing of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to wound, ischemia and tumor tissues; (3) investigation of involvement of dysregulated Notch signaling in cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, dilated cardiomyopathy and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).