Pepper Schedin, Ph.D.
Professor
Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology
Email Dr. Schedin
CV

AeSoon Bensen, B.S.
Research Associate

Elise de Wilde
Senior Research Assistant & Lab Manager

Education: Major in Biology, Minor in Chemistry, Oregon State University (2020).

Scientific Interests: My scientific interests are to be certified by ASCP in histotechnology and assist in methods in the laboratory to further research in post-partum involution-induced breast cancer. I am also assisting on several liver metastasis-based projects being researched by my colleagues. I enjoy diagnostic testing and I am excited to be able to work on my histotechnologist certification while in the Schedin laboratory.

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.

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.

Michelle Ozaki, B.A.
Ph.D. Candidate
NSF GRFP Scholar, F99/K00 Fellow

Education: B.A., Molecular Biology, Scripps College; Post-bac, Women’s Malignancy Branch, National Cancer Institute

Scientific Interests: I am interested in better understanding metastasis and tumor-stromal cell crosstalk. I work on various projects within the Schedin lab all focused on how the involuting liver promotes metastasis of postpartum breast cancer (PPBC). My current projects are focused on how involution can generate a pro-tumor environment through altering myeloid derived suppressor cells and liver fibroblasts. Other aspects of my work include how PPBC liver metastases differ from non-postpartum liver metastases in human tissue samples, as well as exploring how we might be able to target this window of vulnerability to help prevent liver metastasis.