The goal of our laboratory is to understand the biology of normal stem cells in human skin as well as cancer stem cells in the development and progression of non-melanoma skin cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma. Previously, we have focused on identifying and characterizing cell surface markers on keratinocyte stem cells that have been identified by microarray and high-throughput proteomic approaches. We have also developed reliable in vitro and in vivo assays in immunocompromised mice that can determine whether a candidate keratinocyte stem population possesses the stem cell properties of self-renewal and long-term repopulation. We have expanded these approaches to characterize cancer stem cells in epithelial cancers and have now identified an enriched population of cancer stem cells in human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that possess cancer stem cell properties in both our in vitro and in vivo assays. Our lab is also interested in understanding the nature of the physical or anatomical "niche" in which these stem cells and cancer stem cells reside. By utilizing our in vivo models, our goal is to understand how this stem cell niche regulates self-renewal in stem cells and how niche alterations may influence tumorigenesis. Understanding how cancer stem cells self-renew and continually reconstitute epithelial cancers should aid the development of therapeutics that can target these processes.


The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.

To apply:

The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients. Specifically, the Institute:

• Supports and coordinates research projects conducted by universities, hospitals, research foundations, and businesses throughout this country and abroad through research grants and cooperative agreements.
• Conducts research in its own laboratories and clinics.
• Supports education and training in fundamental sciences and clinical disciplines for participation in basic and clinical research programs and treatment programs relating to cancer through career awards, training grants, and fellowships.
• Supports research projects in cancer control.
• Supports a national network of cancer centers.
• Collaborates with voluntary organizations and other national and foreign institutions engaged in cancer research and training activities.
• Encourages and coordinates cancer research by industrial concerns where such concerns evidence a particular capability for programmatic research.
• Collects and disseminates information on cancer.
• Supports construction of laboratories, clinics, and related facilities necessary for cancer research through the award of construction grants.