Event
BIOE Seminar: Molecular Imaging and Theranostics of Cancer
Friday, April 28, 2023
9:00 a.m.
Virtual - Zoom
bioe-comms@umd.edu
Zaver M.Bhujwalla, Ph.D.
Division of Cancer Imaging Research
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Molecular Imaging and Theranostics of Cancer
Abstract:
Advances in multi-modal noninvasive molecular and functional imaging are providing unique opportunities to expand our understanding of cancer, an understanding that is critical to, and that can be integrated with, effective and cancer specific treatments. In my program we are investigating three interactive focus areas within the tumor microenvironment (TME), the tumor macroenvironment (TMacE), and Theranostics, using triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), prostate cancer, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) human tumor xenografts and syngeneic tumors in immune competent mice.
In the TME studies we are interested in understanding the relationship between hypoxia and the vasculature and more recently immune checkpoints, cancer associated fibroblasts, and the extracellular matrix in the TME. To understand the impact of cancers and cancer induced cachexia we are primarily characterizing changes in organ metabolism including the spleen. With the insights we obtain we are developing theranostic strategies that include delivering siRNA and photoimmunotherapy.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Bhujwalla’s work is dedicated to the applications of molecular and functional imaging to understand and target cancer and the tumor microenvironment. She is a Fellow of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, the American Institute of Biomedical Engineers, and the World Molecular Imaging Society. Dr. Bhujwalla is a recipient of a Gold Medal Award from the World Molecular Imaging Society.
Dr. Bhujwalla is currently associated with the editorial boards of Molecular Imaging, NMR in Biomedicine, Cancer Biology and Therapy, and Tomography. She serves as the Specialty Chief Editor-Cancer Imaging and Diagnosis, Frontiers in Oncology. Dr. Bhujwalla has over 200 publications in this field.
At the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Dr. Bhujwalla serves as Director of the Division of Cancer Imaging Research, Vice-Chair of Research, and Director of the MRB Molecular Imaging Center and Cancer Functional Imaging Core in the Dept. of Radiology. She also co-directs the Cancer Molecular and Functional Imaging Program of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC).
