Dr. Li Ding’s current research focuses on the discovery of genetic changes
(somatic and germline) contributing to human diseases by integrating various
data types, including DNA, RNA, and proteomics data. Her research team has
developed a collection of widely-used computational tools, including
VarScan, SomaticSniper, SciClone, BreakDancer, BreakFusion, MSIsensor,
Pindel-C, GenomeVIP, HotSpot3D, PathScan, and MuSiC. Dr. Ding plays
significant roles in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the International
Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), and the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis
Consortium (CPTAC). She co-chairs the TCGA PanCanAtlas Oncogenic Process
Group, the TCGA Sarcoma Analysis Working Group, and the ICGC Mutation
Calling Group. Dr. Ding also serves on the Steering Committees of the
Genomic Data Commons (GDC), CPTAC, and TCGA. Dr. Ding has successfully led
many large-scale, multi-institute studies on the genomics of lung
adenocarcinomas, AML, and breast cancer. Building on this foundation, her
team has produced a series of seminal publications in the fields of cancer
genomics research and cancer biology.
Dr. Ryan Fields’ clinical expertise includes pancreatic, liver, bile duct,
stomach and small intestine cancer; melanoma and other skin cancers; and
sarcoma. His research interests include care of patients with tumors of the
pancreas, liver (primary and metastatic), bile ducts, stomach, and small
intestine, as well as patients with melanoma and other skin cancers and
sarcomas. Dr. Fields’ research focuses on the identification and treatment
of patients at high risk for recurrence of their cancer and the use of novel
treatment modalities to improve survival.
Dr. William Gillanders’ clinical expertise includes breast cancer and
surgical endocrinology, including minimally invasive endocrine surgery. His
research interests include the molecular detection of breast cancer in
sentinel lymph nodes, peripheral blood, and bone marrow as well as
antigen-specific T cell responses to cancer vaccines.
Our research interests are in the design, development, and biochemical
evaluation of molecular imaging agents and drugs in cells and living
organisms. Through highly multidisciplinary research, we also develop new
imaging systems for clinical applications. Our most recent accomplishments
include the discovery of a broad spectrum cancer imaging agent, a portable
goggle device for image-guided surgery, a depth-independent photo
therapeutic platform for treating diseases and a reporter molecular system
for reporting kinase activities. The ultimate goal is to validate new
research concepts in the lab and translate them to humans.