Senior Scientist
University of California San Francisco
I received my Ph.D. from the University of California Davis. I am currently a Professional Researcher/Senior Scientist at the University of California San Francisco Department of Laboratory Medicine. I have extensive experience in liquid biopsy, genomic and data science research in breast cancer. I lead the Liquid Biopsy Research Effort within the Biomarker Working Group of I-SPY 2, a trial that is focused on finding the best neoadjuvant therapies (treatment before surgery) for high-risk early-stage breast cancer.
My research interest has focused on the development of technology to detect and characterize circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to shed light on the biology of these cells and to demonstrate their clinical significance. I have extended my liquid biopsy research efforts to study disseminated tumor cells in the bone marrow and other circulating tumor materials, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
I was awarded an NCI R01 grant (as co-Principal Investigator/co-Program Director) to develop machine learning strategies for combining ctDNA and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to create accurate prediction models of response and outcome in neoadjuvant-treated early-stage breast cancer. In addition, I received a grant from the UCSF Breast Oncology Program (BOP) to pursue my research focused on elucidating the biology of ctDNA shedding using machine learning and systems biology approaches.
As a leader in the field of liquid biopsy research, I prepared two books entitled “Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells” and “Circulating Tumor Cells: Methods and Protocols”, both published in 2017.
The overarching goal of my research program is to develop liquid biopsy tools to facilitate personalized medicine and improve outcomes of breast cancer patients who respond poorly to current aggressive therapies.
Thursday, March 23, 2023
2:48 PM – 3:04 PM
Disclosure(s): Natera Inc: Research Grant (Ongoing)