Jane Arterberry
Research Assistant 2

Education: B.S. in Biology with Chemistry minor, Portland State University Honors College

Scientific interests: My interest in immunology and molecular biology, alongside a summer research internship at Knight Cancer Institute, led to me falling in love with cancer research. I am motivated to explore and contribute to a diverse set of current lab projects, including characterizing the mechanisms by which postpartum breast cancer develops and proliferates, the role of liver involution in metastasis, and the impact of contraceptive progestins on breast health. I am developing my research skills within the Schedin Lab with the long-term goal of pursuing a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology.

Hatun Duran Cete, MD
Postdoctoral Scholar

Education: MD, School of Medicine, Dicle University, Turkey; Residency, Pediatric Surgery Department, School of Medicine, Dicle University, Turkey.

Scientific Interests: I am keen to investigate the mechanism underlying the microenvironment of liver metastasis in postpartum breast cancer employing both in mouse models and human studies. Currently, I am studying the immune infiltrate of weaning-induced liver involution in the postpartum liver in mouse models, with the goal of identifying an immune-based therapy targeted to the liver metastatic niche. I am also working on postpartum breast cancer liver metastasis on our human project. My long-term goals are to develop the skills and knowledge needed to set up a project of postpartum breast cancer studying a vulnerable ethnic population of women in southeast Turkey that have an increased birth rate compared to the US and developed western countries.

Reuben Hoffmann, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar

Education:  PhD Genetics, Stony Brook University, New York; BS Genetics and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Scientific Interest: My projects in the Schedin lab revolve around tumor biology in the context of breast cancer and the mechanisms behind tumor formation and progression.  At present, I am studying the role of COX-2-dependent inflammation, especially in the context of post-partum breast cancer.  COX-2 inhibition by NSAIDS has been shown to reduce tumor uptake and growth in postpartum mice, but COX-2 has had disparate results in the clinic.  Earlier work in the lab revealed established antibodies to be specific to an S-nitrosylation site known to be involved in COX-2’s catalytic activity and showed that the S-nitrosylated form localized differently in normal tissue and associated differently with tumor progression.  I am exploring whether differences in nitrosylation state have a causative relationship with tumor progression and whether the nitrosylation state can be used as a biomarker for risk or a therapeutic target.

Tess Kelly
Graduate student

Abigail Liberty, MD MSPH
WRHR Scholar

Scientific Interests: As a gynecologist with subspeciality in Complex Family Planning, I am motivated to improve the evidence and methodologies investigating the impact of contraceptive progestins on breast health. Leveraging the Schedin Lab's expertise is benign and malignant breast pathology, I am currently conducting a study that compares histology and RNA genomics from breast biopsies among individuals using hormonal contraception, individuals without hormonal therapy and individuals using gender affirming hormonal therapies. My goal is to increase understanding of how contraceptive progestins impact breast health in order to empower patient centered counseling for individuals with breast concerns, high risk breast conditions or breast cancer. I also provide Family Planning and breast cancer survivorship care at the Center for Women's Health.

Jackie Phipps
Graduate student

Education: BS, Biochemistry and Spanish minor, Purdue University

Scientific Interests: I am interested in the complex roles of the innate immune system in the tumor microenvironment and metastasis. Specifically, I am interested in the dichotomous roles of natural killer cells in liver metastasis. I hope to contribute to a better understanding of the underlying biology and potential therapeutic strategies for liver metastasis.