Morad Lab
Morad Lab
Principal Investigator, Tenure-track Assistant Member, Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis
Contact: Golnaz.Morad@moffitt.org
Hi, I'm Golnaz — a cancer biologist, a dentist-turned-scientist, and the PI of the Bugs & Brain Research Group at Moffitt Cancer Center.
My path to brain tumor research has been anything but straight, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I grew up in Tehran, Iran, where I trained as a dentist following in my parents’ footsteps — a background that, as it turns out, would become surprisingly relevant to my research. After moving to the United States, I pursued my PhD at Harvard University under the mentorship of Dr. Marsha Moses at the Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, where I discovered that tumor-derived extracellular vesicles breach an intact blood-brain barrier via transcytosis and prime the brain for metastatic growth by changing the behavior of astrocytes (ACS Nano, 2019). From there, I joined MD Anderson Cancer Center for my postdoctoral training under Dr. Jennifer Wargo, where I studied the role of microbiome in primary and metastatic brain tumors - work that culminated in the discovery that brain tumors harbor orally-derived bacterial elements, an entirely new component of the brain tumor microenvironment (Nature Medicine, 2025).
These experiences are the foundation of the Bugs & Brain Research Group. We study how the oral and gut microbiota regulate brain metastasis — from keeping tumor cells dormant to driving disease progression and shaping responses to immunotherapy — with the goal of turning these findings into real strategies that help patients.
Beyond science, I am deeply committed to mentoring trainees at all levels through personalized mentorship and to building a lab where great science and great people thrive together. I have served on the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Associate Member Council (2019-2022) and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Early Career Scientists Committee (2023-present) - experiences that continue to shape how I do science and support the next generation of scientists.
Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time at the beach with my corgi, Ziggy.
My name is Rene Rico, and I recently joined Dr. Golnaz Morad’s lab as a Research Project Specialist at Moffitt Cancer Center. My research interests focus on cancer biology, immunology, and the role of microbiota in cancer progression and metastasis, especially in melanoma and brain tumors. What I enjoy most about research is trying to understand the biological mechanisms behind disease and how laboratory findings can eventually translate into better treatments for patients. My long-term goal is to become a physician-scientist and combine research with patient care throughout my career.
Outside of research, I enjoy lifting weights, playing basketball, and spending time outdoors. Going to the gym is one of my favorite ways to relieve stress and stay disciplined outside of work, while basketball gives me a fun way to stay active. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends and exploring new place.