Research Abstract
Over the past 20+ years, I have spent the majority of my research time dedicated to the field of endocrine diseases, specifically thyroid carcinogenesis. My current position as Director of Head & Neck Pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital focuses on head & neck and endocrine pathology, and this allows me to directly investigate molecular defects and pathophysiology primarily in thyroid and head & neck neoplasia, in addition to facilitating additional collaborations in other areas of endocrine and genitourinary pathology. My research activities since completing graduate school have focused on translational studies aimed at understanding biological potential in neoplastic processes in order to develop targeted therapeutics and de-escalate aggressive therapy when aggressive therapy is unnecessary. I am currently collaborating with surgical oncologists and endocrinologists at MGH to investigate molecular mechanisms of thyroid carcinogenesis along with similar mechanisms of action in salivary tumors. Additionally, in regard to thyroid, I am collaborating use animal models of thyroid malignancy.