Ongoing Research Projects

The Endocrine Neoplasia Research Lab focuses on investigating the genetic and cellular composition, biochemical abnormalities, and molecular etiology of endocrine tumors. Understanding the origins, development, and physiological abnormalities caused by endocrine neoplastic diseases will lead to better methods for early detection, more effective targeted therapies, and improved clinical management for patients with these disorders. 

The Endocrine Neoplasia Lab is actively engaged in a wide array of patient-based research projects in collaboration with the section of endocrine surgery and other clinical colleagues. 

Current areas of investigation include:

1. Elucidating the natural history and disease course of patients with medullary thyroid cancer to inform and improve advanced disease management.
2. Investigating previously unrecognized biochemical connections our lab has discovered linking vitamin D deficiency, beta-amyloid protein signaling, aging, and parathyroid tumors.
3. Utilizing cutting-edge molecular tools to define and spatially map every individual cell type present in normal endocrine organs and endocrine tumors.
4. Developing novel imaging tools for live-tissue functional interrogation, intraoperative visualization, and diagnostic assessment of endocrine tumors.
5. Molecular and genomic profiling of variations in the cellular composition of endocrine tumors that lead to differences in clinical presentation, disease course, and patient outcomes.
6. Molecular classification of benign and malignant tumors of the parathyroid, thyroid, and adrenal glands to identify prognostic markers and reveal potential targets for therapeutic intervention.