I am a breast cancer oncologist with a research focus in the development and validation of biomarkers for breast cancer. My work is performed in collaboration with the laboratory of Matthew Ames, Ph.D., who chairs the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Mayo Clinic. My additional key collaborators at Mayo Clinic are James Ingle, M.D., (PI, Mayo Breast SPORE), Richard Weinshilboum, M.D., (PI, Mayo PGRN), and Thomas Spelsberg, Ph.D.

A notable area of our focus is the pharmacogenetics of tamoxifen biotransformation, and our work with CYP2D6 has led to a recent FDA recommendation to change the label of tamoxifen to incorporate the importance of genetic and drug-induced variation in CYP2D6. I am principle investigator of ongoing studies (1R01 CA133049-01) focused on the pharmacogenetics of tamoxifen biotransformation in collaboration with the laboratories of Dr. Matthew Ames and Dr. Richard Weinshilboum. These studies are designed to understand the role of CYP2D6 as a tool to individualize hormonal therapy in the adjuvant setting, and to understand the effect of commonly administered drugs on the activity of CYP2D6 in tamoxifen treated women. This latter activity is being performed in collaboration with the Consortium of Breast Cancer Pharmacogenomics (COBRA). Additionally, we are studying the role of the 13C - DM breath test as a marker of CYP2D6 activity in tamoxifen treated patients in collaboration with Physical Sciences, Inc. and Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc.

In addition to NCI funding, I am a funded investigator in the Mayo Pharmacogenetics Research Network grant (Richard Weinshilboum, PI), and a past recipient of a Career Development Award (Mayo Breast Cancer SPORE), and Paul Calabresi Scholar Award (K-12).

My interest in pharmacogenetics also extends to irinotecan, and our group has been the first to demonstrate that UGT1A1*28 genotype affects the maximally tolerated dose of irinotecan-based therapy. We have several ongoing NCI-sponsored trials in which the recommended phase II dose of therapy will be dependent upon UGT1A1 genotype.

Finally, I am a member of the Phase I group at Mayo Clinic, and I am working with the Ames laboratory in both pre-clinical and clinical development of drugs focused on breast cancer including the drug aminoflavone.