We are interested in discovering and functionally characterizing new oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in skin cancer. We seek to understand how these novel genes maintain homeostasis in epithelial tissues in general as well as the skin in particular. We use genomics and proteomics-based approaches
combined with animal and human skin tissue models. The ultimate goal of
our research is to improve current treatment paradigms and identify actionable
therapeutic targets.
We are interested in discovering and functionally characterizing new oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in skin cancer. We seek to understand how these novel genes maintain homeostasis in epithelial tissues in general as well as the skin in particular. We use genomics and proteomics-based approaches
combined with animal and human skin tissue models. The ultimate goal of
our research is to improve current treatment paradigms and identify actionable
therapeutic targets.
Carolyn Lee is an Assistant Professor in Dermatology. She earned her undergraduate degree at Yale prior to completing her MD and PhD studies at Georgetown. Her thesis work characterizing the PTEN tumor suppressor gene was conducted with Todd Waldman. Upon completing her dermatology residency training at Stanford, she undertook post-doctoral fellowship training in epithelial biology with Paul Khavari. She is interested in discovering and characterizing new cancer driver genes in skin cancer specifically as well as in epithelial malignancies generally. As a board-certified dermatologist, her clinical focus is the management of patients at high risk of developing skin cancer, such as individuals on immune suppression therapy following organ transplant. She is a member of the Stanford High-Risk Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Working Group, where she works closely with colleagues in Dermatology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Plastic Surgery, and Pathology to optimize the care of patients with clinically aggressive cutaneous malignancies.
Angela Mah Peralta
Angela is a research associate as well as our lab manager. She obtained her BS in Molecular Toxicology at UC Berkeley. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and golfing.
Michael Lee
Michael is a research associate and our lab bioinformatician. He obtained his BA in Genomics at Washington University in St. Louis. He is also a cello player who enjoys archery and playing video games.
Cristina Tommasi
Cristina is a postdoctoral fellow who obtained her Ph.D. in Cell Biology at the University College London. In her free time, she enjoys cooking Italian food as well as reading classic and historical novels.
Brittany Stinson
Brittany is an undergraduate researcher majoring in Human Biology. She enjoys running, dancing, and cooking in her spare time.
Tomas Bencomo
Tomas is an undergraduate researcher majoring in Computer Science. His interests include tennis, hiking, and trying different restaurants in the endless pursuit of burger perfection.
Jasmine Garcia
Jasmine is a research associate. She obtained her B.S. in Biology at San Jose State University. She enjoys golfing in her free time as well as baking and running.
Inna Gitman
Inna is our administrative associate. She received her MS in Applied Mathematics from the Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics, and Informatics. She enjoys playing the piano and has sung with the West Bay Opera Chorus as well as the Stanford Symphonic Chorus.
Lab Alumni
Cody Aros
BS, Stanford University
Current Position: MD/PhD student, UCLA-Caltech MSTP
Christie Nguyen
BS, Stanford University
Current Position: MD/PhD student, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai MSTP
Dane Sessions
BS, University of Michigan
Current Position: MD/PhD student, University of Virginia MSTP