Graduate Women In Science

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is an aggressive gynecologic malignancy responsible for 40% of uterine cancer deaths. Although half of USC patients are diagnosed with localized tumors and undergo curative surgery, approximately 30% still experience recurrence with poor outcomes. Because we currently cannot predict which tumors will recur, more than 75% of patients receive adjuvant chemotherapy, leading to unnecessary treatment and added toxicity. GATA Binding Protein 2 (GATA2) is a transcription factor whose expression correlates with tumor behavior and recurrence risk in USC. My project aims to define the molecular mechanisms by which GATA2 regulates tumor invasion. By uncovering how GATA2 influences tumor suppression, this research seeks to improve recurrence prediction and reduce unnecessary exposure to chemotherapy in USC patients.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel Matson, I study uterine serous carcinoma (USC), a rare and aggressive subtype of uterine cancer. Our group has identified that a subset of these tumors lose GATA2 expression, which is correlated with increased invasion and metastasis in patients. Through a multi-omics approach, I identified Piezo1, a mechanosensitive ion channel, as a potential target for GATA2 regulation. My research focuses on confirming the direct suppression of Piezo1 by GATA2 and investigating how the loss of regulatory control may contribute to USC progression. This work aims to uncover a novel mechanosensitive pathway driving USC tumor development, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets to inform and improve patient care.