Chad Corcoran, Ph.D.

My primary interests lie in the area of cancer biology, specifically on cell signaling pathways involved in the development and progression of human tumors. My past research experiences have concentrated on one tumor suppressor protein, p53, and how its loss or inactivation helps lead to tumorigenesis. The hope of many is that by gaining more insight into how p53 controls cell growth, we may one day ultimately be able to create more efficacious cancer drug therapies.

In addition to cancer biology, I also have a broad and long-standing interest in the cellular and molecular events that guide the human immune response. At a time when there is debate over vaccines, an increasing prevalence of childhood food allergies, and emerging infectious diseases, an understanding of basic immune function has perhaps never been so critical. I aim to share with students my passion for immunology so that they too may have a heightened appreciation for this area of human physiology.