​Dr. Neighbors’ lab is focused on drug development. A current research project is centered on novel agents called schweinfurthins that inhibit steps in the mevalonate pathway to reduce transcription of genes targeted by the Hippo pathway transcription factor TAZ as potential treatments for osteosarcoma. Additionally, we are studying the potential for statin drugs which inhibit this same pathway as treatment for neuroblastoma and other cancers. A completely different project looks at a family of natural products, pawhuskins, isolated from a prairie plant which have antagonist activity at several opioid receptors and are under investigation for the potential to increase wound healing by inhibiting opioid growth factor activity.

Prior to coming to PSU, Dr. Neighbors worked for a small biotech company driving the drug development efforts and has experience integrating development activity across disciplines from chemical synthesis to pharmacokinetics and ADME/DMPK studies. He is currently bringing this expertise to the Penn State Cancer Institute by developing a ADME/PK Correlative Science Shared Resource for which he is the Director.

Maithili received her Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Jaffna (Sri Lanka) and her Master’s degree in biology from Millersville University (Millersville, Pennsylvania). She previously worked as a Research Specialist at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Ophthalmology. Maithili currently works at the Penn State Cancer Institute (Hershey, Pennsylvania). She performs cancer research experiments in the context of drug sensitivity and mechanism of action, assisting in the design, execution, and interpretation of cell and molecular biology experiments. She also assists in the training of graduate and medical students and provides lab support as needed.

Contact Maithili: 717-531-0003 ext. 284796

Grace graduated from medical school in China with an MBBS degree, majoring in clinical medicine, and recently received her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Penn State College of Medicine. She is currently investigating the mechanism by which the mevalonate pathway regulates cancer cells’ response to anti-PD-L1/PD-1 immunotherapy. Specifically focusing on characterizing the role of the mevalonate pathway inhibition in promoting tumor cell recognition and elimination by the immune system.

Contact Grace: rzhang2@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Michelle received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Pennsylvania State University with minors in chemistry and economics in December 2015. Michelle’s dissertation project focuses on understanding the role of the mevalonate pathway in ultra-high-risk neuroblastoma. She also works on a project investigating the role of the dopamine D2 receptor in glioblastoma. Michelle is an active member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and an undergraduate mentor.

Contact Michelle: mgreen4@pennstatehealth.psu.edu