I have a superb classical education in molecular biology which has been supplemented with my post-doctoral training at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research under the guidance of world-class enzymologists and acknowledged experts in molecular and cellular biology. During the past fifteen years I have published 40 papers in prestigious peer reviewed journals including J. Biol. Chem. and I was the first author in 16 of these papers. An example of the effective use of my personal and professional characteristics is the work I performed leading to the formulation of his hypothesis and subsequent proof that the inhibition of the activity of membrane type-1 matrix metalloprotease (MT1-MMP), in the manner in which it was used in the recent clinical trials, cannot be an effective cancer therapy. These results provided the basis for the NIH funded X01, 2006, "Screening chemicals to suppressMT1-MMP synthesis in cancer" for which he was the co-PI. I also discovered thatMT1-MMP is a key player in the tumor's defense regardless of its catalytically active or inert state. These findings were the basis for the funded Susan G. Komen grant, 2006-2008, "Role of MT1-MMP in protection of breast cancer cells against host immune attack" for which the applicant was the co-PI. I was also the PI for NIH screening grant, 2006, "Screening for Chemicals that Potentiate TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis of Cancer Cells" and DoD funded Concept award, 2009,"Reengineering New, Potent, and Safe TRAIL for Breast Cancer Therapy". Based on the obtained results, Oregon Health and Science University filed two provisional patents. In addition, I successfully collaborated with other researchers, and produced several peer-reviewed publications from each project. As a result of these previous experiences, I am aware of the importance of frequent communication among project members and of constructing a realistic research plan, timeline, and budget. For example, I was a key researcher in the study of "MT1-MMP pericellular proteolysis in malignancy", R01CA077470,1999-2009 (NIH, NCI). I also played an important role in Burnham's two major anti-bioterrorism research programs. The first of these two programs called for the development of "Effective Inhibitors of Anthrax Lethal Factor", U011056385, 2003-2007 (NIH, NIAID) and the second program was related to a "Structure-based Drug Design for Smallpox Therapy", U01 A1061139, 2004-2009 (NIH, NIAID). These programs required working closely with collaborators to integrate diverse sources of information.