Ongoing Research Support
ACS Research Scholar Award- Rose (PI)
01/01/2025 – 12/31/2029
Sponsor: American Cancer Society
Therapeutic modulation of calreticulin in pancreatic adenocarcinoma
VA Merit Award – Rose (PI)
04/01/2024 – 09/30/2028
Sponsor: Veterans Administration
Targeting induced surface calreticulin as a tumor agnostic therapeutic approach
UAB Faculty Development Grant Program – Guenter (PI)
08/01/2024-08/31/2025
Understanding the relationship between Notch1 and HIF-2α signaling in pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer
Early-Stage Surgeon Scientist Program – Gillis (PI)
09/01/2022-08/31/2025
Sponsor: NCI ESSP
Society of University Surgeons – Gillis (PI)
02/01/2023-01/31/2024
Mixed Methods Analysis of Molecular Mediators of Social Determinants of Health in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
NIH/NCI R21CA245580-01A1 – Jaskula-Stzul (PI)
07/07/20-06/30/22
Imaging of alterations in SSTR2 expression with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors treatment for neuroendocrine tumors
The major goal of this project is to characterize the HDAC inhibitor treatment-induced and enhanced SSTR2 expression in neuroendocrine tumor cell lines and xenografts for improved detection and therapy.
NIH/NCI R21CA226491-01A1 – Jaskula-Stzul (PI)
02/01/20 – 01/31/22
Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) antibody-drug conjugate for PanNET therapy
This project focuses on a two antibody-drug conjugate targeted for neuroendocrine cancers.
Alabama Enrichment Fund – Chen (PI)
10/1/15-9/30/25
Signaling Pathways in Endocrine Malignancies
This $2 million grant focuses investigating signaling pathways which regulate the proliferating of endocrine cancers and on developing novel strategies to translate laboratory findings to the clinics.
NIH/NCI KO8 CA234209 – Rose (PI)
7/1/19-6/30/24
Targeted Treatment of Metastatic Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
NIH/NCI R43CA246883 – Garner (PI)
7/1/20-6/3/21
Targeted Exosome-Associated AAV-Mediated Gene Therapy to Eliminate Metastatic NE Cancers
This is an SBIR grant to develop a target therapy for Neuroendocrine Cancers.
NIH/NIDDK T35 DK116670-01 – Chen/Locke (PI)
4/1/19-3/31/24
Short-Term Research Experiences Advancing Medical Students
The goal of this grant is to train medical students in translational and health services research.
NIH/NCI RO1CA228399 – Olson (PI)
12/1/18-11/30/23
Parathyroid Tumor Clonal Status as a Biomarker in Primary Hyperparathyroidism
This sub-contract from the University of Maryland is to study clonality in patients with hyperparathyroidism. Dr Chen serves as the UAB PI under subcontract.
NIH/NCI T32 CA220102 – Kennedy (PI)
7/1/18-6/30/23
Surgical Oncology Research Training Program
The goal of this grant is to train surgeons in cancer research and investigation. Dr. Chen serves as Associate Program Director.
Novo Nordisk – Chen (PI)
11/1/18-10/31/22
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Surveillance Study
This proposal is a national effort to understand the incidence and etiology of medullary thyroid cancer.
Completed Research Support
Robert E. Reed Foundation – Rose (PI)
1/1/2018 – 12/31/2020
Mechanisms of Notch3 down-regulation in GI-NETs
The major goal of this project is to study the underlying mechanisms causing downregulation of Notch3 in GI neuroendocrine tumors in order to identify new targets for treatment
Current Lighting Solutions, LLC – Rose (PI)
9/20/19 – 9/19/20
Use of Continuous UV Lighting in the Operating Room to Reduce SSI Rates
The major goal of this award is to study the cellular damage of continuous UV light on tissue during open abdominal surgery and determine if it reduces surgery related infection rates
UAB Neuroendocrine Cancer Pilot Grant – Rose (PI)
3/1/2020 – 2/28-2021
Predictive ex vivo technology to match patient NET with optimal therapies
The major goal of this award is to study the ability of a novel ex vivo drug testing platform to predict response to therapy based on a patient’s neuroendocrine tumor biopsy.
NIH/GM KO8 GM101361 – King (PI)
8/1/14-7/31/20
The Role of Notch2 and Notch3 in Cutaneous Wound Healing
This proposal studies the role of notch signaling in wound healing. Dr. Chen serves as mentor for this project.
NANETS Basic/Translational Science Investigator – Jaskula-Sztul (PI)
9/1/18-8/31/20
Novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PanNET) targeted therapy.
This proposal explores drug delivery to PanNET via an anti-somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) monoclonal antibody linked to natural compounds tested in patient derived samples.
UAB Radiology/CCTS Pilot Research Initiative – Jaskula-Sztul (PI)
10/31/18-10/31/19
Imaging of alterations in SSTR2 expression with HDAC inhibitors treatment for neuroendocrine tumors.
The goal of this proposal is to increase SSTR2 density with HDAC inhibitors in human NET xenografts for improved detection.
ACS-IRG Junior Faculty Development Grant – Jaskula-Sztul (PI)
3/1/19-2/28/20
Pharmacological overexpression of somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) in pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors for improved [68Ga]DOTATATE imaging and treatment.
This proposal studies the overexpression of SSTR2 by HDAC inhibitors for improved imaging with [68Ga]DOTATATE and potential treatment with [177Lu]DOTATATE in pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors.
American Cancer Society MEN2 RSG – Chen (PI)
7/1/13-6/30/18
Notch signaling in Medullary Thyroid Cancer
This project focuses on translating Notch signaling in medullary thyroid cancer.
UAB CCC Faculty Development Grant – Jaskula-Sztul (PI)
8/1/17-7/30/18
Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) antibody-drug conjugate for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PanNET) therapy.
This proposal explores drug delivery to PanNET via an anti-somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) monoclonal antibody linked to natural compounds.
UAB CCTS Multidisciplinary Pilot Grant – Jaskula-Sztul (PI)
5/1/17-4/30/18
Synaptic vesicle 2 receptors as a novel targets for neuroendocrine cancer therapy.
This proposal explores drug delivery to neuroendocrine tumors via synaptic vesicle 2 receptor therapy.
UAB Bioengineering Surgery Collaborative Pilot Grant – Jaskula-Sztul (PI)
4/1/17-3/31/18
SSTR3 and GIPR Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy.
This proposal explores drug delivery to PanNET via an anti-somatostatin receptor 3 (SSTR2) and GIPR antibody drug conjugate.
UAB Bioengineering Surgery Collaborative Pilot Grant – Jaskula-Sztul (PI)
4/1/17-3/31/18
Development of an engineered medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) surrogate system as a preclinical model for personalized drug screening.
This proposal explored the use of a novel bioreactor system to grow MTC tissues and treat these tissues with therapeutic compounds to identify effective therapies.
UAB CCC New Faculty Award in Cancer Research – Jaskula-Sztul (PI)
8/1/16-7/31/17
Tumor-Targeting Nanotheranostic Micelles for Neuroendocrine Cancer Therapy.
This project looked at the use of micelles to deliver drugs to neuroendocrine tumors.
Caring for Carcinoid Foundation-AACR – Chen (PI), Jaskula-Sztul (Co-PI)
7/1/14-6/30/17
Multifunctional Nanomedicine for Targeted Carcinoid Cancer Therapy
This project seeks to develop nanoparticles for carcinoid tumors.
American Cancer Society – Chen (PI)
1/1/11-4/30/17
MEN2 Thyroid Cancer Professorship
This professor is to lead a consortium of medullary thyroid cancer investigators.
A.W. Memorial Fund NE Carcinoma – Chen (PI), Jaskula-Sztul (Co-PI)
7/1/15-6/30/17
A Pilot Study on Targeted Delivery of Thailandepsin-A, a New Type of Natural Small Molecule Class I HDAC Inhibitor to Neuroendocrine Cancers using Unimolecular Micelles
NIH/GM R01 GM104192-01 – Bugni (PI) Chen (Collaborator)
5/1/13-6/30/17
Omics approaches for natural products discovery
Howard Hughes Medical Institute – Carmona Matos (PI)
8/31/18-8/30/19
Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) targeted therapy.
This proposal studies somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) immunotherapy for MTC. Dr Chen and Dr Jaskula-Sztul serve as mentors on this project.
NIH/NCI RO1 CA121115 – Chen (PI)
5/1/09-4/30/15
GSK3-beta Signaling in Medullary Thyroid Cancer
NIH/NCI RO1 CA109053 – Chen (PI)
8/1/06-7/31/12
Regulating Neuroendocrine Phenotype in Cancer
NIH/NCI T32 CA090217-11 – Chen (PI)
7/1/11-2/29/16
Surgical Oncology Research Training Program
NIH/NIDDK T35 DK062709-06 – Chen (PI)
4/1/11-9/30/15
Surgery Summer Research Experience for Medical Students
NIH/NCI RO1 CA121115-02S1 – Chen (PI)
5/18/10-2/1/13
Minority Supplement for Yvette Carter
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation – Chen (PI)
1/1/12-9/30/15
Surgery Clinical Research Experiences for High School Students
NIH/GM R13 GM09523 – Chen (PI)
10/1/11-9/30/14
AAS Courses to Increase Women and Minorities in Academic Surgery
Doctors Cancer Foundation – Chen (PI)
7/1/07-6/30/12
The Role of GSK3B in Carcinoid Cancers
L.C.A Faculty Research Fellowship (ACS) – Chen (PI)
7/1/11-6/30/12
Cutaneous Wound Healing with Notch Signaling
UWCCC/Wisconsin Discovery Institute – Chen (Co-PI)
7/1/12-6/30/15
Co-delivery of siRNA and Anticancer Drug using Multifunctional Au NR-based Nanocarriers for Targeted Neuroendocrine Cancer Therapy
University of Wisconsin-Madison/Milwaukee – Chen (Co-PI)
8/1/12-7/30/14
Novel Nanomedicines for Targeted Neuroendocrine Cancer Therapy
Novartis – Chen (Co-PI)
4/20/09-4/1/14
A Phase II Clinical Trial of LBH589 for Thyroid Cancer
American College of Surgeons – Burke (PI) Chen (Mentor)
7/1/11-6/30/13
Targeting Notch in Medullary Thyroid Cancer
American Association of Plastic Surgeons – King (PI), Chen (Mentor)
7/1/11-6/30/13
The Use of Notch Mediating Compounds to Improve Cutaneous Wound Healing
Novartis – Chen (Co-PI)
5/1/09-5/1/12
A Phase II Clinical Trial of LBH589 for Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Cancers
NIH/NCI 8515 – Le Conte (PI), Chen (Co-PI)
4/20/09-5/1/12
A Phase 1 Study of RO4929097 (NSC749225) in Combination with Capecitabine in Refractory Solid Tumors
L.C.A Faculty Research Fellowship (ACS) – Chen (PI)
7/1/11-6/30/12
Cutaneous Wound Healing with Notch Signaling
NANeTS – Mazeh (PI) Chen (Mentor)
7/1/11-6/30/12
Notch 2 and 3 in Neuroendocrine Cancers
Howard Hughes Medical Institute – Somnay (PI) Chen (Mentor)
7/1/11-6/30/12
Signaling in Carcinoid Cancers
University of Wisconsin SMPH – Chen (PI)
2/1/10-1/31/11
The Role of Notch1 Signaling in Wound Healing
American College of Surgeons – Zarebczan (PI) Chen (Mentor)
7/1/09-06/30/11
Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Neuroendocrine Cancers
Carcinoid Cancer Foundation – Chen (PI)
9/1/06-8/31/10
Modulating Raf-1 Signaling in Carcinoid Cancer
ACS George Clowes Memorial Award – Chen (PI)
7/1/04-6/30/10
Inhibition of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumor Progression by Signal Transduction Pathways
NIH/NCI R21 CA117117 – Chen (PI)
6/15/07-5/31/10
Phase II Clinical Trial Utilizing Lithium for Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors
Novartis – Chen (PI)
10/31/08-12/31/09
Combination Raf-1 activation and Octreotide in Neuroendocrine Cancer
Society of Surgical Oncology – Chen (PI)
6/1/07-6/30/09
Clinical Trial of GSK3B Inhibitors for Neuroendocrine Cancers
UW Comprehensive Cancer Center – Chen (PI)
7/1/07-6/30/09
The Role of GSK3B inhibition by Lithium as a Therapy for Patients with Advanced Medullary Thyroid Cancer
UW Comprehensive Cancer Center – Holen (PI) Chen (Co-PI)
7/1/07-6/30/09
A Preliminary Clinical Trial of Valproic Acid for Patients with Metastatic GI Neuroendocrine Cancers
Howard Hughes Medical Institute – Cook (PI) Chen (Mentor)
8/1/08-8/31/09
HDAC inhibitors and Notch1
American College of Surgeons – Pitt (PI) Chen (Mentor)
7/1/07-6/30/09
Signaling Pathways in Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Association for Academic Surgery – Pinchot (PI) Chen (Mentor)
7/1/07-6/30/09
The Role of GSK3B Pathway in Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Association for Academic Surgery – Greenblatt (PI) Chen (Mentor)
7/1/05-6/30/09
Notch1 Signaling in Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Howard Hughes Medical Institute – Adler (PI) Chen (Mentor)
7/1/07-6/30/08
Dissecting the Mechanism of Notch1-mediated hormone Suppression in Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Cancer
American Cancer Society RSG TBE-108768 – Chen (PI)
1/1/05-12/31/08
Endocrine Differentiation and the Role of Notch1
Vilas Foundation – Chen (PI)
7/1/06-6/30/08
Neuroendocrine Cancers: Signaling-based Therapies
NIH/NIDDK R21 DK066169 – Chen (PI)
2/1/04-1/31/07
Novel Signaling Targets in GI Neuroendocrine Tumors
NIH/NIDDK R21 DK064735-01 – Chen (PI)
7/1/03-6/30/05
Signaling Pathways in Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Robert Draper Technology Innovation Fund – Kunnimalaiyaan (PI) Chen (Mentor)
1/1/05-12/31/05
The Role of Lithium Chloride in Tumor Suppression
NIH/NIDDK R21 DK063015-01 – Chen (PI)
1/1/03-12/31/04
Notch1 Signaling and Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors
American Surgical Association Foundation – Chen (PI)
7/1/02-6/30/04
Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Possible Therapeutic Role for the ras/raf-1 signal transduction pathway
Robert Draper Technology Innovation Fund – Chen (PI)
7/1/03-6/30/04
A Novel Drug for Neuroendocrine Tumors
University of Wisconsin – Kunnimalaiyaan (PI) Chen (Mentor)
10/1/03-12/31/04
Construction of Inducible Notch1 and its Role in Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Howard Hughes Medical Institute – Van Gompel (PI) Chen (Mentor)
7/1/03-6/30/04
The Role of Human Achaete-scute Homolog-1
University of Wisconsin Graduate School – Chen (PI)
7/1/03-6/30/04
Notch1 Signaling in Gastrointestinal Tumors
Howard Hughes Medical Institute – Chen (PI)
7/1/01-6/30/03
A novel therapy for neuroendocrine tumors
American Medical Association – Musunuru (PI) Chen (Mentor)
9/1/02-5/31/03
Carcinoid Heart Disease
University of Wisconsin Medical School – Chen (PI)
10/1/01-9/30/02
The role of insulin-like growth factor-I in GI carcinoid tumors
Society of Surgical Oncology – Chen (PI)
1/1/01-12/31/01
The role of the ras/raf-1 signal transduction pathway in neuroendocrine tumor progression and metastases
American Cancer Society IRG-58-011-44-04 – Chen (PI)
11/1/00-10/31/01
Raf-1 signaling in neuroendocrine tumors
NIH/NCI NRSA-CA67481 – Chen (PI)
4/1/95-6/30/97
The transcriptional regulation of human achaete-scute homolog-1
Howard Hughes Medical Institute – Chen (PI)
9/1/90-8/31/91
HIV-1 regulatory proteins
