Shaw Lab Research
The Shaw lab is interested in breast cancer progression and the mechanisms that drive aggressive tumor behavior and poor patient outcomes. We have had a longstanding interest in the insulin and IGF signaling (IIS) pathway and the mechanisms by which this signaling axis regulates tumor cell function. IIS is associated with poor outcomes in breast cancer, particularly in the context of obesity and other hyperinsulinemic conditions, when pathway activity is upregulated. We study how IIS pathway function is altered in breast tumor cells to overcome normal controls and checkpoints to facilitate metastasis. Ongoing projects in the lab focus on understanding how the Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS) adaptor proteins determine cellular outcomes in response to pathway activation. The goal of our work is to elucidate the molecular and structural basis for differential IRS regulation of tumor cell function and to elaborate novel approaches for improved therapy and breast cancer outcomes.
Shaw Lab News
| July 2026 |
Emily Wassouf joined the Shaw Lab as a PREP student. Welcome Emily! |
| May 2026 |
Congratulations to Dr. Michael Lero as he graduated from the Morningside GSBS program. |
| May 2026 |
Michael was awarded the inaugural Cancer Biology Program Director's Award at the 2026 Student Academic Achievement and Leadership Awards Ceremony. |
| May 2026 |
Jason Murillo joined the Shaw Lab for the summer as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). |
| April 2026 |
Ji-Sun Lee published her paper in Cell Death and Disease "Interaction of IRS2 with PLK1 protects cells from mitotic stress". |
| March 2026 |
Join us as we celebrate Michael Lero successfully defending his Ph.D. thesis titled "Insulin Receptor Substrate 2 (IRS2) confers resistance to PI3K pathway inhibition in PI3KCA mutant breast cancer." Congratulations Dr. Lero. |
| March 2026 |
Congratulations to Mac on passing his Qualifying Exam!! |
| March 2026 |
Congratulations to Ji-Sun and her husband on the birth of their baby girl. |
| January 2026 |
Claire published her paper in Molecular Therapy "Therapeutic delivery of albumin-binding siRNA targeting IRS2 to diverse cell types reduces mammary tumor growth". |
| December 2025 |
We said good bye and good luck to Quyen as she pursues new opportunities. |
| November 2025 |
Michael won FIRST PRIZE at the Three Minute Thesis competition for his talk "Making Treatment for Aggressive Breast Cancer More Effective" and he received $1,000 and a chance to compete at a regional 3MT competition in the spring. |