Program Information
Molecular Oncology is an integrated basic science program composed of a diverse group of investigators with strengths in cancer stem cells, DNA damage repair and genomic instability, tumor-host interactions, and other fundamental areas of cancer biology.
Program Aims
- Discover mechanisms of cancer stem cell (CSC) regulation that drive cellular heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance
- Elucidate the impact of genomic instability on tumor heterogeneity, progression, and therapeutic resistance
- Interrogate cell to cell interactions in tumor development, dormancy, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance with emphasis on immune and microbiome alterations
Program Members
Suneel S. Apte, MBBS, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: aptes@ccf.org
Phone: 216.445.3278
Shideng Bao, PhD
StaffDepartment of Cancer BiologySchool of MedicineDirectorCenter for Cancer Stem Cell ResearchLerner Research Institute, Cleveland ClinicMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: baos@ccf.org
Phone: 216.636.1009
Pedro Barata, MD, MSc
OncologistUrologyUH Seidman Cancer CenterAssociate ProfessorMedicineCase Western Reserve UniversityMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: pedro.barata@UHhospitals.org
Jonathan Mark Brown, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineAssistant ProfessorDepartment of NutritionSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: brownm5@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.8340
Matthias Buck, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Physiology and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineAssistant ProfessorDepartment of NeurosciencesSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: mxb150@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.8651
Cathleen R. Carlin, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular Biology and MicrobiologySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of Physiology and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: cxc39@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.8939
Shuyang Chen, PhD
Assistant StaffCancer BiologyLerner Research Institute, Cleveland ClinicMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: chens8@ccf.org
Jan Claesen, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: claesej@ccf.org
Fabio Cominelli, MD, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineChiefDivision of Gastroenterology and Liver DiseaseSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: Fabio.Cominelli@uhhospitals.org
Phone: 216.844.7344
Carlos Crespo, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of ChemistryCollege of Arts and SciencesMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: cxc302@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.1911
Hod Dana, PhD
Assistant ProfessorMolecular MedicineCleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve UniversityMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: danah@ccf.org
- David Schwartz Photography
David Danielpour, PhD
ProfessorCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterAssociate ProfessorDepartment of UrologySchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: dxd49@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.5670
Srinivasan Dasarathy, MD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: dasaras@ccf.org
Joseph A. DiDonato, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: didonaj@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.8178
J. Alan Diehl, PhD
ChairDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineDeputy Director and Chief Operating OfficerCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: jad283@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.0268
Clark W. Distelhorst, MD
Charles S. Britton II Professor of Hematology/OncologySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of MedicineDivision of Hematology and OncologySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: cwd@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.4546
James H. Finke, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: finkej@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.5186
Paul L. Fox, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: foxp@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.8053
Thomas A. Gerken , PhD
ProfessorDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PediatricsSchool of MedicineMemberPopulation and Cancer Prevention ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: thomas.gerken@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.4556
Hannah L. Gilmore , MD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: hannah.gilmore@UHhospitals.org
Phone: 216.286.6587
Candece L. Gladson, MD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: gladsoc@ccf.org
Phone: 216.636.9493
Zihua Gong, MD, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: gongz@ccf.org
Kailash Gulshan, PhD
Adjunct Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: gulshak@ccf.org
Phone: 216.445.3699
Thomas A. Hamilton, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: hamiltt@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.6246
Warren D.W. Heston, PhD
Adjunct ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: hestonw@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.8181
Christopher Hine, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: hinec@ccf.org
Christopher Hubert, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of EngineeringMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: cxh652@case.edu
Phone: 216.445.6471
Mark Jackson, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineAssociate Director for Training and EducationCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterDirector, Cancer Biology Training ProgramMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: mark.w.jackson@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.1276
Ge Jin, PhD
MemberMolecular Oncology Program and Population & Cancer Prevention ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: ge.jin@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.3791
Hung-Ying Kao, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: hung.kao@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.1150
Ruth Keri, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineAssociate Director for Basic ResearchCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: kerir@ccf.org
Phone: 216.445.1323
Hyun Jung Kim, PhD
Assistant StaffDepartment of Inflammation and ImmunityLerner Research Institute, Cleveland ClinicMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: KIMH19@ccf.org
Justin D. Lathia, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineCo-LeaderMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: lathiaj@ccf.org
Phone: 216.445.7475
Jeongwu Lee, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: leej7@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.9834
Bibo Li , PhD
Adjunct Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: b.li37@csuohio.edu
Phone: 216.687.2444
Feng Lin, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: linf2@ccf.org
Shujun Liu, PhD
ProfessorMetroHealth Medical CenterMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: shujun.liu2@case.edu
Michelle S. Longworth, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Genetics and Genome SciencesSchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorCenter for RNA Science and TherapeuticsSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: longwom@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.8082
Roger M. Macklis, MD
Clinical ProfessorDepartment of Radiation OncologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterDanny Manor, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of NutritionSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: dxm178@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.6230
Shigemi Matsuyama, DVM, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual SciencesSchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorHematology and OncologyDepartment of MedicineAssociate ProfessorDivision of General Medical SciencesAssociate ProfessorCase Western Reserve UniversityAssociate ProfessorCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: sxm193@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.5832
Christine L. McDonald, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: mcdonac2@ccf.org
Phone: 216.445.7058
Thomas M. McIntyre, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: mcintyt@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.1048
Jason A. Mears, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: jam348@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.3348
Masaru Miyagi, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineMemberCenter for Proteomics and BioinformaticsSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterMemberCleveland Center for Membrane & Structural BiologyEmail: mxm356@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.2641
Herbert Newton, MD
Medical DirectorBrain Tumor CenterUH Seidman Cancer CenterDirectorNeuro-OncologyUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical CenterMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterCarvell T. Nguyen, MD, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of SurgerySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: cnguyen4@metrohealth.org
Phone: 216.778.7968
Marvin T. Nieman, PhD
Vice Dean for Graduate EducationGraduate Education OfficeSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: nieman@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.0250
Liqun Ning, PhD
Assistant ProfessorMechanical EngineeringCleveland State UniversityMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: l.ning@csuohio.edu
Christine M. O'Connor, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: oconnoc6@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.0676
Nancy Oleinick, PhD
Professor EmeritaDepartment of Radiation OncologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: nlo@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.1117
Quintin Pan, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of OtolaryngologySchool of MedicineCo-LeaderMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: quintin.pan@UHhospitals.org
Monaliben Patel, MD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEdward F. Plow, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: plowe@ccf.org
Phone: 216.445.8200
Gunnar Poplawski
Center for Immunotherapy and ImmunoOncologyLerner Research Institute, Cleveland ClinicMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: poplawg@ccf.org
Shuo Qie, MD, PhD
InstructorDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: sxq96@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.1639
Jun Qin, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineAdjunct Associate ProfessorDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: qinj@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.5392
Diana Ramirez-Bergeron, PhD, MS
Associate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorCardiovascular Research InstituteSchool of MedicineAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Genetics and Genome SciencesSchool of MedicineAssistant ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineCo-Director, Post-Baccalaureate Research Education ProgramGraduate Education OfficeSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: Diana.Ramirez@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.2036
Ofer Reizes, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: reizeso@ccf.org
Phone: 216.445.0880
William P. Schiemann, PhD
Vice Dean for ResearchSchool of MedicineGoodman-Blum Professor in Cancer ResearchSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of BiochemistrySpecial Advisor to the DirectorCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterDirectorPilot Funding & Scientific InvestmentsCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: William.Schiemann@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.5763
Alvin H. Schmaier, MD
ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: schmaier@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.1172
Chirag Shah, MD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: shahc4@ccf.org
Phone: 216.445.1068
Jonathan D. Smith , PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: smithj4@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.2248
Khalid Sossey-Alaoui, PhD
Faculty Research StaffMetroHealth Medical CenterAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: kxs586@case.edu
Phone: 216.778.5275
Apollo Stacy, PhD
Cardiovascular and Metabolic SciencesLerner Research InstituteMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: stacya2@ccf.org
George R. Stark , PhD
MemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: starkg@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.6062
Duncan Stearns, MD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of PediatricsDivision of Hematology and OncologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: duncan.stearns@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.0290
Bin Su, PhD
Adjunct ProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: b.su@csuohio.edu
Phone: 216.687.9219
Hoonkyo Suh, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: suhh2@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.5895
Saba Valadkhan, MD, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular Biology and MicrobiologySchool of MedicineAssistant ProfessorDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: saba.valadkhan@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.1068
Bingcheng Wang, PhD
John A. and Josephine B. Wootton Endowed Chair of Research and ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of Physiology and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterSchool of MedicineMemberCleveland Center for Membrane & Structural BiologySchool of MedicineEmail: bingcheng.wang@case.edu
Phone: 216.778.4356
Oliver Wessely, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: wesselo@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.3050
Sichun Yang, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of NutritionSchool of MedicineAssistant ProfessorCenter for Proteomics and BioinformaticsSchool of MedicineAssistant ProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Physiology and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: sichun.yang@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.5793
Chengfeng Yang, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: cxy432@case.edu
Phone: 216.778.8965
Vivien C. Yee, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: vivien.yee@cwru.edu
Phone: 216.368.1184
Akihiro Yoshida, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of DermatologySchool of MedicineAssistant ProfessorDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: axy234@case.edu
Yi Zhang, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineMemberCleveland Center for Membrane & Structural BiologyMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: yi.zhang26@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.0424
Youwei Zhang, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterChairDepartment of PharmacologyGraduate Qualification CommitteeVice ChairmanCommittee for Biomedical ResearchSchool of MedicineCo-LeaderGenome Stability and Therapy ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterChairGraduate Qualification Committee Pharmacology DepartmentEmail: yxz169@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.7588
Jianjun Zhao, MD, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: zhaoj4@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.7511
Guang Zhou, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of OrthopaedicsSchool of MedicineAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Genetics and Genome SciencesSchool of MedicineMemberMolecular Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: guang.zhou@case.edu