Current Research and Scholarly Interests
The focus of my research is to develop novel imaging and treatment strategies to detect and better manage cancer. This approach relies first on the identification and validation of molecular targets and biomarkers that are linked with underlying the underlying biology driving the initiation and progression of cancers. We then develop novel small molecule based radiotracers to monitor fundamental molecular and cellular processes occurring in living subjects using positron emission tomography (PET) with the goal of improving cancer diagnosis and management. We additionally develop novel peptide based theragnostic agents for stratification of patients with high receptor expression, treatment with targeted radionuclide therapy, and subsequent monitoring of treatment response. Our overall goal is to develop multiple clinically translatable strategies to improve cancer diagnosis, management, and outcomes.
