Advancing Knowledge of the Molecular Mechanisms of Mast Cell Tumors

Mast cell tumors account for up to 20 percent of all skin cancers in dogs. The research fellow hopes to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms of mast cell tumor and to narrow down the genomic regions that are important in the initiation and progression of this cancer. Better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of mast cell tumors will provide diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic benefits for dogs with the disease. This Fellowship Training Grant will also provide the researcher with the experience necessary to succeed in a career in veterinary molecular oncology. The fellow's ultimate goal is to discover better management of animal cancers by conducting an independent clinical research program using molecular oncology approaches.