Robby Van Sciver, Lauren Siewertsz van Reesema, Vassilena Zheleva, Minglei Bian, Amy Tang
Postdoctoral Fellows
Minglei Bian, PhD
(September 1, 2010 – April 2017)
BS, Peking UniversityPhD, Peking UniversityPostdoctoral Fellow, Brock VHS(2010 – 2017)
Yang Liao, PhD
(May 28, 2008 – July 31, 2011)
BS, Fudan UniversityPhD, Fudan UniversityPostdoctoral Fellow, Mayo Clinic(May 28, 2008 – December 30, 2009)(Dr. Tang’s Lab)Postdoctoral Fellow, Brock VHS(January 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011)
Research Associate (University of Chicago, Ben May Cancer Institute)(August 2011 – Present)
Atique U. Ahmed, PhD
(June 12, 2006 – October 12, 2008)
BS, Minnesota State University, Winona, MNPhD, Open University, UK(Jointly with the Mayo Clinic Molecular Medicine Program)Postdoctoral Training: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine(Mentor: Dr. Amy Tang)Transplantation Biology, Department of Surgery
Faculty Position:Assistant Professor of Cancer BiologyUniversity of Chicago
Cheol Hong Park, PhD
(May 02, 2006 – May 23, 2009)
BS, Hanyang University, Seoul, KoreaMS, Hanyang University, Seoul, KoreaPhD, Hanyang University, Seoul, KoreaPostdoctoral Training: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine(Mentor: Dr. Amy Tang)Transplantation Biology, Department of Surgery
Yajun Cao, PhD
(April 12, 2010 – July 31, 2011)
BS, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityPhD, Fudan UniversityPostdoctoral Fellow, EVMS(April 12, 2010 – July 31, 2011
YingYing Liu, PhD
(September 1, 2012 – June 14, 2012)
BS, Fuzhou UniversityPhD, Peking UniversityPostdoctoral Fellow, Brock VHS(September 1, 2012 – June 14, 2012)
Xiaofei Gao, PhD
(August 2, 2012- September 25, 2013)
MS, YangZhou University (2004 – 2007)PhD, Fudan University, China (2009 – 2012)Postdoctoral fellow, Brock VHS(Aug. 2, 2012 – Sept. 25, 2013)
Clinical Fellows
Nanette R. Reed, MD
(July 2007 – June 2008)
BS, University of Notre DameMD, Baylor College of MedicineMS, Mayo Graduate SchoolSurgical Residency: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Faculty Position:Assistant Professor of SurgeryWashington University in St. Louis
Vassilena Zheleva, MD
(July 1, 2011 – June 17, 2013)
BA, Colby CollegeMD, Dartmouth Medical SchoolPGY3 Residency Training in General Surgery Surgical Fellowship, City of Hope, California(August 2016 – Present)
Graduate Students
Kevin F. Kanda, MS
(July 1, 2017 to July 18, 2018)
BS, Biology, Old Dominion UniversityMS, Biomedical Sciences, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University
PhD, Cancer Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio (August 1, 2018 – 2023)
Rebecca L. Schmidt, PhD
(July 1, 2005 – December, 2008)
BS, Lawrence University(Valedictorian, Summa Cum Laude)PhD, Mayo Clinic Graduate School(Mentor: Dr. Amy Tang)Postdoctoral Training: National Jewish Health
Faculty Position: Assistant Professor of BiologyUpper Iowa University
“Winner of the 5-Year Mayo Clinic Pobanz Family Predoctoral Fellowship, Inaugural Fellow”
Monicah M. Njogu
PhD graduate student(July 1, 2012 – January 20, 2017)
BS, East Stroudsburg University Pennsylvania (2006)MS, Seton Hall University New Jersey (2009)PhD, Brock VHS Norfolk, VA (2011-2017)
“Awarded a 2014-2015 UNCF-Merck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowship, one of just 12 exceptional students whom such awards were given in the U.S. for 2014″
Robby Van Sciver
PhD Graduate Student(May 2014 – April 2019)
BS, Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia (2005)Research Scientist, Ethos Pharmaceuticals (2006-2008)Research Specialist, University of Virginia (2009-2013)PhD, Biomedical Sciences, EVMS (2019)
Elizaveta Svyatova
PhD Graduate Student(August 31, 2013 – present)
BS, Old Dominion UniversityMS, Old Dominion University/Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University
PhD, Brock VHS(July 1, 2014 to present)
Justin J. Odanga
MS graduate student(July 1, 2012 – May 18, 2013)
BS, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA (2010)
MA, Brock VHS Norfolk, VA (2013)(August, 2013 – Present)
Andrew J. Isbell
MS graduate student(July 1, 2013 – May 17, 2014)
BS, United States Air Force Academy USAFA, CO, and Truman State University, Kirksville, MO (2009)MS, Brock VHS, Norfolk, VA (2014)Medical Student, Campbell University(August, 2014 – Present)
Xavier-Lewis Palmer
Biotechnology graduate student at Brock VHS
BS, Old Dominion University (2014)MS, Biotechnology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, VA
(2014-2015)PhD, Old Dominion University(Class of 2020 Bio Engineering)
Zena Urban
MS graduate student(August 1, 2011 – September 30, 2014)
BS, West Virginia UniversityMA, Boston University School of MedicineMS, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University
Medical Students
Narotham Badrish
Summer 20172017 CHKD- Brock VHS Summer Scholar
MD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, VA(August 2016 – May 2020)BS, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VABiomedical Engineering
Alex C. LaFever
(10/19/2016 – present)Brock VHS M1 Medical Student, MD Class of 2020
MD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA(August 2016 – May 2020)MS, Georgetown University, Washington D.C.(August 2014 – July 2015)Master of Science, Physiology and BiophysicsBS, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA(August 2010 – May 2014)Bachelor of Science, Biology
Amber L. Collier
(05/01/2017 – present)Brock VHS M3 medical student, MD Class of 2020
MD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA(August 2014 – May 2018)MS, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA(August 2013 – May 2014)BS, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA(2005 – 2009)Bachelor of Science, Business Management
Shipra Maheshwari
2016 CHKD-Brock VHS Summer Scholar(May of 2016 – August of 2016)Brock VHS M2 medical student (2015-2019)
MD, Brock VHS class of 2019BS, University of VirginiaMajor in Bioengineering and Minor in Engineering Business
Michael P. Lee
Medical student at Brock VHS (MD class of 2019)
BS, Bioengineering, University of CaliforniaSan Diego (2008-2012)MS, Biomedical Sciences, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA (2014-2015)MD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia (2015-2019)
Dasom Caroline Lee
Medical student at Brock VHS2015 CHKD- Brock VHS Summer Scholar
BS, University of California at Berkeley (2011)MD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (2018)
Research Positions: University of California at San Francisco (2011-2012)Stanford University (2012-2014)
Rahim M. Dhanani
Medical student at Brock VHS
BS, Emory University (2012)MS, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (2014)MD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (2018)
Ian Pepper, BS
2015 Student volunteer at Brock VHS
BS, Virginia Tech, Blackburg, VA (2013-2015)University of Minnesota (2012-2013)PhD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (2016 – Present)
Drake Bishop
2014 Brock VHS-CHKD summer scholarSummer 2014
AAS, Southside VA Community College (2010)BS, Hampden-Sydney College (2014)Major in Biology and Minor in chemistry and classical studiesMD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (2018)
“Recipient of 4 year Middleton Scholarship (2014-2018) at EVMS”
Lauren Siewertsz van Reesema, BS
2013 CHKD-Brock VHS Summer ScholarSummer 2013
BS, James Madison University (2013)MD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (2015 -2019)
Ting Chen, MS
2013 Summer StudentSummer 2013
BS, Brandeis University, Biology (2007)MS, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University
Biomedical Sciences (2012)MD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (2013 -2017)
Kristin Sica
Summer 2011
BS, Rutgers UniversityMA, Drexel College of MedicineMD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University
(2011 – 2015)
Technicians
John A. Crooks
(August 2, 2010 – May, 13, 2011)
BS, University of California at DavisPhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison (2011 – Present)
Michael Cameron Hayes
Research Assistant I
BS, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA (2011-2015)MD, University of Virginia Medical School (2016-2020)
Lauren Siewertsz van Reesema, BS
(September 1, 2014 – Present)
BS, James Madison University (2013)MD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (2015 -2019)
Jamie Eisner
MS graduate student(May 1, 2014 to August, 2015)
BS, Old Dominion University (2011)MS, University of Florida (2013)PhD, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (2015 – Present)
Bridget N. Montgomery
(July 15, 2013 – July 30, 2014)
BS, University of Virginia (UVA)
Oscar A. Gonzales
(July 5, 2011 – December 28, 2012)
BS, Longwood UniversityBS, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityPost-BS, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Summer Scholars (Summer Undergraduate Students)
Chris Smith
Summer 20172017 CHKD-Brock VHS Summer Scholar
BS, Radford University, Radford VA(May 2017)Major in Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Mahelet N. Mamo
Summer 20172017-SPUR summer undergraduate student
BS, Longwood University, Farmville, VA(May 2018)Biology
Abigail C. Cole
2016 SPUR student
3rd-year UndergraduateMajor in Chemistry and Minor in Biochemistry
BS, University of Virginia (2017)
Ricky D. Moscoso
2016 summer volunteer
FreshmanMajor in Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biophysics and BiochemistryYale University Class of 2019
Stephen Tang
2015 Research Volunteer
Undergraduate Student, Yale University (2014-2018)
Angela Tang-Tan
2015 Student Volunteer
High School student, at Princess Anne High School, International Baccalaureate (IB) Gifted and Talented Program, Virginia Beach, VABS, University of California, Berkeley (2016-2020)
Gabriel I. Lopez
2015 SPUR student
BS, Old Dominion University (2015)
Domonique White
2014 SPUR student
BS, Norfolk State University (NSU) 2015
Garrett Rushing
Summer VolunteerSummer 2014
BS, Bob Jones University (2014 Senior)Cell Biology Major and Chemistry MinorMD, Virginia Commonwealth University (2015-2019)
Chris Rowley
Summer volunteer 2014
B.S., James Madison University (2012)Philosophy majorPhi Beta KappaOld Dominion University (2014)
John Edward Fernan
2013 SPUR StudentSummer 2013
BS, University of Vermont
Sophia Blunt
Summer Student Volunteer 2012
William and Mary University (Freshman)
Russell Wilson
2012 SPUR StudentSummer of 2012
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) (Senior)Major: Biochemistry
Matthew Ambler
Summer 2010
Yale University (Freshman)
Research Interests
The project I: Regulated Proteolysis in oncogenic ERBB/K-RAS-Mediated Tumorigenesis and Metastasis in human cancer
Dr. Tang’s laboratory studies the RAS signal transduction pathway using multiple model organisms/systems including Drosophila, transgenic mice, human cancer cell lines, and human cancer tissue specimens. As oncogenic RAS promotes the genesis of many human cancers, how best to contravene activated RAS signaling has been an intense area of investigation in the field of cancer biology for the past 30 years. Seven-In-Absentia (SINA), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is an essential downstream component of the Drosophila RAS signal transduction pathway. The human homolog of SINA, SIAH, is a member of this evolutionarily highly conserved family of RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligases; however, the roles and regulation of SIAH-dependent proteolysis are not well understood in the context of RAS signal transduction in mammalian systems.
Dr. Tang’s lab has accumulated evidence demonstrating the importance of proper SIAH function in mammalian K-RAS signaling. We show that by inhibiting the enzymatic activity of SIAH, and thus SIAH-mediated proteolysis, RAS-mediated neoplastic transformation and tumorigenesis can be effectively blocked in human cancer cells [Can Res 67(24):1798-810, 2007; JNCI 100(22):1606-29, 2008]. Furthermore, SIAH-deficient cells have reduced MAPK signaling, suggesting that SIAH might be involved in aberrant K-RAS signaling through a regulatory feedback loop mechanism. Thus, these studies provide an initial glimpse into the significance of the SIAH E3 ubiquitin ligase-regulated proteolysis in the K-RAS pathway during tumor initiation, progression, and oncogenesis in human pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, invasive and metastatic breast cancer, and hormonal-refractory prostate cancer.
Advancing understanding of the role of SIAH E3 ligases in K-RAS signaling and, more importantly, the potential to target SIAH as a novel new anti-K-RAS and anti-cancer target in the treatment of the most aggressive and the deadliest forms of human cancers represent exciting steps forward in the fields of K-RAS signaling, cancer biology and cancer therapy. Ultimately, we hope such SIAH-based anti-cancer therapies will lead to novel and efficacious treatments for human cancer patients, especially the ones with metastatic diseases.
