Research

This is a new collaboration that has been started with Dr. Nipun Merchant (Surgical Oncology) and is being set up with Dr. Devinder Singh (Plastic Surgery) and colleagues. We aim to investigate a novel endogenous immuno-protective mechanism activated when an adaptive short-term stress response (STSR) is mounted during surgery. Our goal is to harness this mechanism as a predictor (and partial mediator) of postsurgical recovery. We will also investigate biological mediators of the effects of chronic stress, psychosocial factors, and social determinants of health on recovery and oncologic outcomes. (Support: Seeking Funding. Limited pilot funding from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.)

This research aims to identify mechanisms through which chronic stress and a high-anxious behavioral phenotype increase susceptibility to the emergence and progression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. (Support: National Cancer Institute, NIH.)

This project aims to identify behavioral and biological markers and mediators of resilience, susceptibility, and recovery from chronic stress and the development of anxiety- and depression-related behavior. (Support: Office of Naval Research.)