Roles
- Professor of Radiation Oncology
- Director, UMMSOM Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program
- Graduate faculty member, Cancer Biology and Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
- Co-leader, Tumor Biology Program, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Affiliate faculty, Center for Aerosol Science and Technology, College of Engineering
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Biography
Dr. Rai received her Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the California Institute of Technology. She did her PhD research at University of California, Berkeley in the field of biophysics with Dr. Stuart Linn and Dr. David Wemmer as her co-advisors. She was a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Robert Weinberg at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research/MIT. She began her independent career at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2008 and is currently a tenured full professor. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
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Honors & Awards
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Teaching Interests
Dr. Rai teaches multiple graduate-level classes in various areas of cancer biology, including the p53 tumor suppressor, DNA damage and cancer, cell senescence, cell death and the RAS oncogene. She teaches the class on reactive oxygen species chemistry and biology for Radiation Oncology residents. -
Research Interests
Dr. Rai's research program focuses on development of molecular strategies to activate tumor suppressor pathways in cancer cells through modulation of cellular redox status and DNA repair mechanisms. These mechanisms are typically enhanced in aggressive tumors to overcome intrinsic oncogenic stress arising from elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that mediate pro-malignant signaling. Dr. Rai's studies have identified novel therapeutic targets for RAS-driven lung cancer and hormone-refractory prostate cancer, which have few current treatment options. The Rai lab uses a plethora of interdisciplinary approaches to address mechanistic tumor biology questions in these areas in collaboration with chemists and engineers, as well as bench-to-bedside and bedside-to-bench studies with medical oncology collaborators. Learn more about the Rai lab projects here:
Lab website |
Sylvester Lab Profile> -
Publications
Disclaimer: Information presented in this section has been consolidated using AI and machine learning technologies. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, errors may occur. If you identify any inaccuracies, use this link to inform our data team. Your feedback is appreciated and helps us improve the quality of our content.Grants & Sponsored Research
ActiveCompleteViewing number of total completed grantsProfessional Activities
Articles & News
The Next Wave: SURF Program Prepares Undergraduate Students for Biomedical Research Careers
How a Diabetes Drug May Echo the Benefits of Exercise in Prostate Cancer Care
SURF’s Up: Miller School Research Program Attracts Record Number of Applicants
Disclaimer:
Information presented in this section has been consolidated using AI and machine learning technologies. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, errors may occur. If you identify any inaccuracies, use this link to inform our data team. Your feedback is appreciated and helps us improve the quality of our content.