Marcus Ruscetti, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Ph.D.: 2015, University of California, Los Angeles
Postdoctoral research: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Office:	UMass Chan Medical School 364 Plantation Street, LRB-625 Worcester, MA 01605
Phone:
Email:	Marcus.Ruscetti@umassmed.edu

Research

Our laboratory is studying how tumors, and in particular prostate and pancreatic cancers, escape immune surveillance during disease progression, and trying to restore tumor suppressive pathways lost early during tumor inception for cancer immunotherapy. We use innovative mouse modeling approaches, combined with genome editing, screening, and sequencing modalities, to dissect and manipulate tumor suppressor pathways, to elucidate tumor-immune interactions, and to evaluate new drug combinations for treating aggressive solid tumors. We are particularly interested in studying a tumor suppressive pathway called cellular senescence, a physiological stress-response program leading to proliferative arrest and secretion of pleiotropic factors that modulate immune responses.

View the Ruscetti Lab website

Rotation Projects

Rotation projects are available on several topics, including:

1. Dissecting the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of a tumor suppressive process known as cellular senescence in different tumor contexts.
2. Harnessing the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) to reengage immune surveillance and overcome immunotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer.
3. Elucidating and targeting genetic mediators of immune escape in prostate cancer metastasis using an innovative mouse modeling approach.
4. Uncovering mechanisms of resistance to RAS targeted therapies and senescence and immune surveillance bypass in lung cancer.

Please contact Dr. Ruscetti for more detail.

Positions Available

Postdoctoral fellow positions are available for candidates with recent Ph.D. and/or M.D. degrees in Cancer Biology, Genetics, Immunology, or related fields. Applicants should be highly motivated with strong molecular biology skills, cell culture experience, and at least one first-author publication. Mouse experience is preferred but not required. Applicants should send their CV, summary of previous research, reprints of relevant publications, and the names of three references to Dr. Marcus Ruscetti.

Lab Technician/Research Assistant positions are available for motivated candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field and previous research experience. Candidates with experience in molecular biology techniques such as DNA isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and cloning, as well as mammalian cell culture are especially encouraged to apply. Send a CV, Cover Letter, and names of two-three references to Dr. Ruscetti.