I am a breast cancer oncologist with an interest in the pharmacogenetics of cancer therapy. I am a funded investigator in the Mayo Pharmacogenetics Research Network grant (Dick Weinshilboum, PI), the Mayo Breast Cancer SPORE (Career Development Award), and I am a Paul Calabresi Scholar (K-12). Additionally, I am a member of the Consortium of Breast Cancer Pharmacogenomics (COBRA). All of my laboratory work is performed in collaboration with Matthew Ames laboratory, who chairs the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental therapeutics at Mayo Clinic.

My principal research interest is in 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. Additionally, I am involved in the investigation of gene expression profiling for the prediction of invasive recurrence in women with DCIS and early invasive breast cancer.

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.

In addition to pharmacogenetics, I am a member of the phase I group at Mayo Clinic, and I am working with the Ames' lab both in pre-clinical as well as the clinical development of aminoflavone. I am the principal investigator of the aminioflavone phase I clinical trial.