Education

B.S., Chemistry, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Huntsville, AL, 2001
Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, 2005
FIRST Postdoctoral Fellow, Winship Cancer Institute, Hematology/Oncology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, 2006-2009

Research Statement

Chemokine receptor 4, CXCR4, is a critical factor for breast cancer progression. CXCR4 interacts with its' ligand, stromal derived factor-1, SDF-1, which is expressed at the site of metastasis. Cancer cells acquire CXCR4 overexpression before they leave the primary site and migrate toward organs with high SDF-1 levels, which is a crucial step for malignant progression. The aim of my study is to determine the stage of disease progression in which CXCR4 is overexpressed. CXCR4 expression will be measured in six groups of human breast tissue. Research results will be correlated with patient's social demographic, pathology, radiology and lab data as well as with patient management and short and long term outcome. This study could significantly benefit cancer patients through early prediction and therefore adequate treatment and prevention of breast cancer metastasis.

Recent Publications

Liang, Z., Brooks, J., Willard, M., Liang, K., Yoon, Y., Kang, S., Shim, H. (2007) CXCR4/CXCL12 axis promotes VEGF-mediated tumor angiogenesis through Akt signaling pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 359(3):716-22.

Spelman College
Department of Biology
Atlanta, GA  30314
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