About Us

Our research is focused on understanding the biology and identifying therapeutic strategies in preclinical models of pancreatic, neuroendocrine and hepatobiliary cancer. In addition, our lab is involved in reverse translation analyzing tissue and blood samples obtained from patients on clinical trials to understand mechanism of action and resistance to novel therapies. Our lab is led by a physician scientist who has been able to translate several laboratory findings into therapeutic clinical trials. We closely collaborate with basic scientists, translational scientists and clinicians at UAB and nationally in studies that target the immune system and signaling pathways in gastrointestinal malignancies.

Our Research

Our research is focused on bridging the distance between clinical and basic research enhancing the development of novel therapies in GI malignancies. The specific areas of focus include targeted therapy, immune therapy and stromal biology.

Investigators

Dr. Bassel El-Rayes, M.D., is an NCI funded physician scientist who serves as Division Director of Hematology and Oncology and Deputy Director of O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Clinically, he treats patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr. El-Rayes is responsible for coordinating and providing high-level direction to the clinical cancer research programs and clinical cancer trials across the UAB.

Dr. El-Rayes has published over 200 research papers in highly reputed international journals and has presented at various national and international conferences. Dr. El-Rayes is an author and editor of several published books and chapters. He serves as editorial board member of several internationally recognized academic journals. Dr. El-Rayes has received several international awards. He leads the GI committee of the Hoosier Cancer Research Network also holds memberships with the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Publication Links for Dr. El-Rayes

Dr. Purnachandra Nagaraju Ganji (Nagaraju GP), PhD., DSc., is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at University of Alabama School of Medicine. Dr. Nagaraju’s research focuses on translational projects related to gastrointestinal malignancies. He has published over 100 research papers in highly reputed International journals and has presented more than 50 abstracts at various national and international conferences. Dr. Nagaraju is an author and editor of several published books and chapters. He serves as editorial board member of several internationally recognized academic journals. Dr. Nagaraju has received several international awards including FAACC. He also holds membership with the Association of Scientists of Indian Origin in America (ASIOA), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), and the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR).

Publication links for Dr. Nagaraju GP

Research & Visiting Scholars

Tha Luong, MS., is a PhD student in Immunology at GBS program (UAB). She has a master’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Her research interests are focused on Cancer Immunology. She is conducting research on immunotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer.

Publication links: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Tha+Luong&sort=date

Yuvasri Golivi, MS., earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, botany, and zoology from Andhra University. After her bachelor’s, her passion for research started growing and she chose to pursue a research-oriented master’s degree in Animal Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Hyderabad in India. In her master’s dissertation, she extensively studied the Dynamic organization of kallikrein genes during lactogenic differentiation in Mammary Epithelial Cells. Her primary research interests are focused on molecular biology and pancreatic cancer. Currently, she is trying to understand and conduct research on molecular immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

Grace Persis, MS., is a future visiting scholar. She completed her Masters in Biotechnology at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam, India. She is outstanding at her academics. She did a project on DNA fingerprinting in Forensic cases. She is excited to do research on pancreatic cancer therapy.

Volunteers

Chaithanya Ganji is a obser-ship/volunteer at our lab. He is a student in the Harrison high school, Kennesaw, GA, USA. Ganji’s research focuses on meta-analysis and genetic polymorphism in gastrointestinal malignancies. Ganji has received several academic awards at school, county and state level. Recently, he presented his research at an international conference (AACR), New orleans, LA. He holds membership with the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR).

Veda Muppala is doing an observer-ship/internship at our lab. She is a current senior at Ardrey Kell high school, Charlotte, NC, USA. Muppala has received several academic awards at school, state, and national levels. She is actively involved in her community and is passionate about the healthcare field and oncological research.