Molecular, Cell & Cancer Biology Adjunct Faculty
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Prabhani Atukorale, Ph.D.
Academic Role: Adjunct Assistant Professor (Department of Biomedical Engineering, UMass Amherst)
Engineering 'Smart' Nanomaterials Approaches for Cancer Immunotherapies and Drug Delivery
Our lab engineers immunomodulatory nanoparticles to reprogram the tumor immune microenvironment in difficult-to-treat and metastatic cancers. Nanoparticle platforms are designed to co-deliver synergistic innate immune agonists and to support novel cancer vaccination strategies. The lab also works to improve the clinical performance of checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T cell therapies through combination with these engineered nanomaterials.
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Todd Emrick, Ph.D.
Academic Role: Adjunct Professor (Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, UMass Amherst)
Macromolecular Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapeutics
Research in my lab is focused on the design of safe, biocompatible, injectable polymers for delivery of chemotherapeutics and genes. We are interested in prodrug design and synthesis for the masking of chemotherapeutic toxicity prior to delivery, and solubilization of difficult-to-administer drugs in aqueous soluble and stable environments. Finally, we are developing drug delivery platforms that are amenable to two or more drugs for tandem delivery and sequential release.
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Jonghan Kim, Ph.D.
Academic Role: Adjunct Professor (Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, UMass Lowell)
Metal Homeostasis in Cancer: Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies
Research in my lab focuses on the mechanisms by which dysregulation of metal transport and homeostasis, particularly iron and copper, contributes to cancer development and progression. We investigate how genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors influence iron and copper metabolism and toxicity using pharmacological and toxicological approaches. Our work also develops therapeutic strategies, including small molecules and nanoparticle-based delivery systems, to target metal-dependent pathways in cancer and related diseases.
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Yuho Kim, Ph.D.
Academic Role: Adjunct Assistant Professor (Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology, UMass Lowell)
Mitochondrial Biology in Cancer: Therapeutic Strategies for Muscle Atrophy and Cardiotoxicity
Our lab focuses on elucidating the molecular, functional, and structural regulation of mitochondria in cardiac and skeletal muscle physiology and pathology. We investigate the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction and explore potential therapeutic strategies, including small molecules, pharmacological agents, and exercise, for mitochondrial disorders associated with heart disease, muscle atrophy, and other conditions. In particular, we seek to identify preventive and restorative approaches to mitigate chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and muscle weakness associated with cancer cachexia, with an emphasis on mitochondrial dynamics and quality control systems.
