Identifying Spatially Conserved Programs During Tumor-Stroma Coevolution


2025 Emerging Leader Award

Mara Sherman, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Mara Sherman, PhD

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with a dismal prognosis, partly due to its complex tumor microenvironment. This project aims to unravel the intricate interplay between cancer cells and the surrounding stromal cells, particularly focusing on the diverse roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs are key players in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment resistance. However, efforts to target CAFs have so far been unsuccessful. This research will delve into the specific functions of different CAF lineages, examining their influence on tumor evolution and response to therapies. By understanding the heterogeneity and functional roles of these CAFs, this study aims to identify new vulnerabilities that can be exploited for therapeutic intervention in PDAC.

Dr. Sherman is an Associate Member of the Cancer Biology & Genetics Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and an Associate Professor at the Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences. The Sherman lab employs a multidisciplinary approach, including mouse models, 3D cell culture systems, and molecular analyses, to investigate the mechanistic underpinnings of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment that promote pancreatic cancer progression or therapy resistance.

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