Preventive Oncology and Diagnostic Cancer

Xiuwei Yang completed his post-doctoral fellowship from Manitoba Cancer Treatment & Research Foundation in cancer biology.He presently working as assistant professor in department of Molecular & Biomedical Pharmacology at University of Kentucky.He holds a membership for American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

Biological, pathological and signaling roles of cell adhesion molecules in tumor onset or recurrence, progression and metastasis. Potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Hem D. Shukla is Research Scientist in Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of Maryland and adjunct Professor of Genomics in Notredame of Maryland University. He has also worked as Research Faculty in Department of Biology at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Shukla has worked on proteomic analysis of oxidative stress response in BxPC-3 pancreatic cell lines and identification of biomarkers for pancreatic cancer. He has worked on “The Nrf2 mediated antioxidant defense against oxidative stress in pancreatic cancer cell lines and targets for therapeutic intervention”. He has shown elevated level of Nrf2 transcriptional factor in pancreatic cancer cell lines under oxidative stress which is phosphorylated by protein kinase C and affects phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and MAP kinase pathways. After phosphorylation, Nrf2 translocates to the nucleus, binds AREs and transactivates detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase. The IPA analysis has suggested a potential role of Nrf2 under oxidative stress conditions.

Proteomic analysis of oxidative stress response in BxPC-3 pancreatic cell lines Identification of biomarkers for pancreatic cancer Nrf2 mediated antioxidant defense against oxidative stress in pancreatic cancer cell lines

I have a PhD in Biochemistry (Kolkata, India, 2001) and have over nine years of post-doctoral experience first at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and then at the University of Pittsburgh. In 2010, I got promoted to Research Instructor at the Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh and in 2012 to the position of Research Assistant Professor. Presently my research focusses on understanding epigenetic changes in cancer, development of therapeutic strategies based upon epigenetic alterations and development of alterations in DNA methylation for use as predictive biomarkers and early detection of lung cancer. My previous research was focused primarily on identifying new molecularly targeted strategies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) therapy. I have prior experience working in the area of glaucoma where we have looked at the effect of a novel therapeutic agent in the delay of progression of glaucoma. I have over 30 peer-reviewed publications.

Understanding and characterizing epigenetic changes in cancer as well as focusing on molecular targeted therapies in targeting novel molecules that are upregulated in cancer.

Dr. Massimo Libra is associated professor of general pathology at the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania (Catania, Italy). He is director of the Translational Oncology & Functional Genomics Laboratory at the same Department. Dr. Massimo Libra received his M.D. degree from the University of Catania in 1995. Dr. Libra was a post-fellow at the National Cancer Institute in Aviano (Italy) during the Specialization in Oncology. In 2002, he received his Ph.D. degree in Oncology from the University of Catania. He was visiting scientist at the UCLA and East Carolina University. His research is focused on defining the molecular mechanisms involved in the genesis and progression of tumors and the identification of new elements for a more effective diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer. In details, he studies the activation of Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK-MAPK and PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathways and their pharmacological targeting, the cross-talk between the p53 pathway and other pathways (Yin Yang 1, Stathmin), associated with the development of cancer, the study of the tumor microenvironment (NGAL, OPN, MMPs, cytokines).

Molecular mechanisms involved in the genesis and progression of tumors Identification of new elements for a more effective diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer Activation of Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK-MAPK PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathways Study of the tumor microenvironment

Dr. Douglas P. Malinowski is a BD Fellow, the Global Head of Scientific Affairs and the Chief Scientific Officer for BD Diagnostics - Women’s Health and Cancer. His current responsibilities include leading the technology strategy, the innovation programs and the Office of Scientific Affairs for the Women’s Health and Cancer business. These responsibilities encompass molecular oncology, cervical disease screening, HPV genotyping and cytopathology.

Molecular diagnostics, Biomarkers, Translational research, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) biology, Gynecologic cancers (cervical, ovarian, endometrial).