WE ARE RECRUITING! The lab is actively looking for new lab members for the positions listed on the Opportunities page. The lab is committed to diversity and inclusion and we encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Inna Smalley, PhD, Principal Investigator

Curriculum Vitae Download 

B.S. in Biology, University of South Florida

Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, University of South Florida

Post-doctoral Training, Moffitt Cancer Center

With over 20 years of experience studying cancer, I am dedicated to making transformative contributions to understanding central nervous system metastases and how the tumor microenvironment contributes to tumor growth and drug resistance. I have leveraged the use of single-cell and spatial transcriptomic technologies to reveal novel metabolic vulnerabilities and immune-suppressive mechanisms in CNS metastases. Establishing the first rapid autopsy program for CNS metastatic disease and developing of preclinical models for leptomeningeal disease enabled me to create critical research tools for the wider research community. My recent discovery that branched-chain keto acids drive immune suppression and neurodegeneration in leptomeningeal metastases represents a paradigm shift that has opened new therapeutic possibilities for the deadliest complication of late-stage cancers. I am deeply committed to mentoring early career scientists. This commitment extends through my role as the Associate Director of Moffitt's Cancer PhD Program and through service in local, national, and international projects aimed at promoting the career development of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral trainees. I hope to shape the future of cancer research while continuing to drive innovative discoveries that ultimately improve outcomes for patients with devastating central nervous system metastases. 

Personal Interests: running, outdoors, travel

Current Lab Members

Ethan Vallebuona, PhD Candidate

Education/Academic background: University of Tampa, B.S. in Biochemistry

Research interests: Studying mechanisms of metastatic melanoma cell crosstalk with stromal cell types in the brain with a specific focus on the polarization of reactive astrocytes in response to melanoma-derived metabolites and other signaling molecules. I am also interested in developing new in vivo models of leptomeningeal disease from various cancer types to study cellular fitness in this unique meningeal microenvironment.

Personal Interests: Hiking, Camping, Fishing and Scuba Diving.

Taryn Rauff, PhD Student 

Education background:

Research interests: Studying how age affects the melanoma LMD tumor microenvironment and generating an age-relevant in vitro and in vivo models to study LMD.

Personal Interests: Running, Pickleball, Padel, Watching Sports like soccer, cricket, and rugby.

Debora Endo Colodete, PhD Student 

Education background:

Research interests: My research focuses on the role of branched-chain keto acids (BCKA) accumulation in tumor growth, metabolism, and survival at the leptomeninges, as well as, how BCKA promotes T-cell dysfunction. Understanding these aspects will help profile the mechanisms of specific drugs in the tumor microenvironment and promote new future treatments for this therapy-resistant disease.

Personal Interests: hip hop dancing, photography and traveling.

Lexi Grisham, PhD Student

Education/Academic background: University of Tennessee, B.S. in Microbiology

Research interests: My research focuses on the mechanisms cancer cells use to adapt and survive within the leptomeningeal space, a uniquely nutrient-poor and non-traditionalmetastatic environment. I am particularly interested in the dynamic crosstalk between tumor cells and the meningeal stroma that enables survival and progression in this space. Ultimately, my goal is to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities that not only extend survival but also improve patients’ quality of life.

Personal Interests: Puzzles, sand volleyball, and exploring the outdoors with my dog

Yuan Ren, M.D., PhD, Research Scientist I

Education/Academic background: M.D. in Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, China.

Ph.D. in Cellular Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China.

Research interests: Focused on studying leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) of breast cancer and melanoma cells, understanding microenvironmental adaptation of LM by using advanced techniques such as single cell sequencing and multiomics, and developing a new treatment strategy by targeting the microenvironment.

Personal Interests: Fishing, Reading

Lab Alumni

Mariam Khaled, PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher (2020-2025)

Education/Academic background: B.S. in Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt.

Ph.D. in Cellular Biology and Anatomy, MCG, Augusta University, Georgia, USA.

Research interests: I have joined Dr. Smalley team to study the melanoma and lymphoma biology and how the intra-tumoral heterogeneity impact the tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistant via using advanced sequencing technology such as single cell sequencing, along with other traditional techniques

Personal Interests: Walking, Cooking, Reading

Ronak Kundalia, Research Assistant  (2021-2023)

Education background: 

Master of Medical Sciences (concentration in Anatomy) from University of South Florida

B.S. Biochemistry and B.A. in Cognitive Science from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. 

Research interests: Translational research

Hasan Alhaddad, PhD, T32 Postdoctoral Fellow (2021-2024)

Education background:

Research interests: Studying the intra-tumor heterogeneity using single-cell sequencing and special transcriptomic techniques in Melanoma

Personal interests: Watching TV, soccer, and hanging out with friends

Kathy McGraw, PhD, Research Scientist II  (2020-2021)

Education/Academic background: B.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science, Minors: Chemistry and Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida and Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL.

Assistant Professor, Department of Oncologic Sciences, College of Medicine, University of South Florida

Research interests: Translational and clinical research, with 20 years of experience in molecular biology. Main area of expertise is in hematology-oncology research.

Personal Interests: Biking, cooking, and spending time with family.

Kathy has since joined the NCI as a Staff Scientist!

Clayton Wyatt, Research Assistant  (2020-2022)

Education background: Graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of South Florida College of Arts and Sciences, B.S. Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical-Physics (2015-2018)

Research interests: studying clonal heterogeneity and improving clinical outcomes for late-stage melanoma patients with CNS metastasis

Personal Interests: When I’m out of the lab you may find me at the beach trying to learn how to surf or SUP and I like to try new activities. I have an appetite for finding good recipes and experiencing new cultures too.

Oscar Ospina, T32 Postdoctoral Fellow  (co-mentored in our lab 2021-2023)

Education background:

Research interests: Bioinformatician with interests in studying tumor heterogeneity and spatial tumor analyses

We celebrate Oscar being promoted and getting a new position at Johns Hopkins All Childrens!

Mohammad Baraa Boozo, M.D., Visiting Scholar (2023-2025)

Education/Academic background: M.D. in Medicine, Damascus University, Syria

Research interests:  My research focus lies in understanding the complexities of leptomeningeal involvement in various cancer types. Through collaborative efforts bridging clinical expertise and cutting-edge research methodologies, I aim to enhance diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic interventions, and patient outcomes in this challenging aspect of oncology.

Personal Interests:  Reading, poem writing, soccer, table tennis

Baraa has Matched and gone on to complete his Residency!