Biography

Upon completion of a B.S. degree in biology and biochemistry with highest honors at the University of Texas, and honors medical degree at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, I was accepted into a highly competitive urology residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. During residency training, additional research time was focused on minimally invasive techniques to manage small renal masses, evaluation of a novel approach to perform nephron sparing surgery utilizing radiofrequency ablation, and utilization of tissue micro-array technology to evaluate biomarkers as predictors of bladder cancer outcome. Upon completion of rigorous clinical training in urology, I have entered and completed urologic oncology fellowship at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, where my research focus was on understanding the molecular biology of renal cell carcinogenesis and progression as a model for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this disease. Specifically, our group investigated the role of TGF-beta signal transduction in human renal cell carcinoma with goals of developing targeted therapies. Current scientific endeavors include identification of novel biomarkers in renal cell carcinoma, which could potentially allow for timely diagnosis, staging, prognostication and identification of candidates for adjuvant systemic therapies.

Education

Medical School
UT Southwestern Medical School (2001)
Internship
UT Southwestern Medical Center (2002), General Surgery
Residency
UT Southwestern Medical Center (2006), Urology
Fellowship
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (2009), Urologic Oncology

Research Interest

  • Metastatic progression and resistance to targeted therapies
  • Molecular biology involved in renal cell cancer tumorigenesis

Publications

Featured Publications LegendFeatured Publications

Honors & Awards

  • Merit Award
    American Society of Clinical Oncology (2008)
  • National Institute of Health Clinical Research Scientist LRP Award
    NIH (2007)
  • American Urological Association Foundation Research Scholar Award
    AFUD/AUA (2006)
  • Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
    University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (2006)
  • Alpha Omega Alpha
    UT Southwestern Medical School (2001)

Professional Associations/Affiliations

  • American Association for Cancer Research
  • American College of Surgeons
  • American Medical Association
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • American Urological Association
  • Dallas County Medical Society
  • Endourologic Society
  • Harris County Medical Society
  • Society of Urologic Oncology
  • Texas Medical Association