About
Molecular Endocrinology Research
The Arora lab at Desai & Sethi Institute of Urology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, focuses on understanding the molecular endocrinology of Prostate Cancer which involves studying the molecular signatures and interactions that play a critical role in the progression of prostate cancer from androgen-dependent to the androgen-independent castration-resistant stage.
To achieve this goal, we use 2 major approaches-
1. We use cutting-edge Molecular biology and genomic and transcriptomic analysis to identify novel alterations in human cancers. We study these using genetically engineered mouse models and next-generation in vitro models.
2. We advance Machine learning models to study genomic signatures in patients in different stages of PCa.
Our long-term goal is to develop and use technological advances to bridge the gap between the clinical and basic science world and translate this information to the care of prostate cancer patients.
The Impactors
Himanshu Arora, M.Sc, Ph.D
Lab Director
Dr. Arora is a molecular endocrinologist whose long-term goal is the definition of functional drivers in androgen production, modulated distinctively during cancer development and its progression, and how they influence resistance development against advanced therapy options and translate this information to care of prostate cancer patients.
During his Ph.D. training, he studied the role of cancer evolution through epithelial to mesenchymal transition, gaining extensive expertise in cancer biology and cell and molecular biology techniques. His post-doctoral work led to the identification and characterization of molecular changes that play a critical role in androgen production and are closely linked to prostate cancer and its progression.
His research focuses on improving molecular endocrinology of prostate cancer and identifying novel drivers, defining the signaling pathways and biology underlying androgen production and distinct subtypes of the disease, and exposing new therapeutic avenues through advanced technologies.
Fakiha Firdaus, Ph.D
Postdoctoral Researcher
Fakiha's research interest lies in understanding epigenetic and genomic changes associated with the progression of prostate adenocarcinoma into neuroendocrine cancer
Osmel Companioni
Postdoctoral Researcher
Osmel's research interest is in understanding the complex aspects of lineage reprograming in neuroendocrine prostate cancer and how they can be targeted to reduce NEPC tumors
Deepa Seetharam
Postdoctoral Researcher (former)
Deepa's research interest is in delineating mechanisms of androgen production, identifying biomarkers, and profiling paracrine factors like Leptin, that modulates the testicular microenvironment for androgen release.
Nicole Villaverde
Research Assistant-Intern
Nicoles's research interests focus on evaluating the role of paracrine factors in testicular microenvionrment in context of BMI.
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Brian Ledisma
Research Assistant
Brian's research interests focus on evaluating the preclinical efficacy of drug molecules against prostate cancer models (in-vitro and in-vivo)
Yasamin Mirzabeigi, MD
Research Assistant- Intern (Currently Resident in Dep of Pathology, UM)
Yasamin's research interests focus on Genitourinary Pathology and Digital Pathology, particularly in developing the use of Artificial Intelligence in prostate cancer detection and prognosis prediction.
Impactor's Alumini
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