Keiran Smalley, PhD
Principal Investigator
Keiran originally hails from the UK. He completed his PhD in Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge in 2000, before switching to work on melanoma as a post-doc at University College London, UK. He moved to the US in 2003 and worked for 5 years with Meenhard Herlyn at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia. In 2008, he started his lab at the Moffitt Cancer Center with a focus on drug resistance in melanoma. Over the following 12 years he managed to overcome his fear of immunology, and his lab now has wide ranging interests across the melanoma spectrum including cutaneous melanoma, melanoma brain metastases, acral melanoma, uveal melanoma and pediatric melanoma. In his spare time he likes to cook, listen to music and drink tea. Preferably all at the same time.
Manali Phadke, PhD
Research Scientist II
"My research is focused on developing new therapeutic strategies for treatment of melanoma. Currently, I am working sequential immunotherapy and targeted therapy applications in melanoma. Towards this I am also exploring novel single cell RNA sequencing platform. My career goal is to contribute towards good cancer research. "
Michael Emmons, PhD
Research Scientist
"I am a research scientist who has worked with Moffitt Cancer Center since 2003, having progressed from a research assistant to my current position. My research interests have always examined the emergence of drug resistance in tumors treated with targeted therapeutics and the development of novel anti-tumor agents and combinatorial strategies to reverse said resistance. For the last 4 years I have worked in cutaneous melanoma studying the role of epigenetic modifiers, specifically HDAC8, in drug tolerant and invasive melanomas. When I am not performing research, I enjoy spending time outdoors in nature with my family."
Sathya N.S Reddy, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Sathya's work focuses on "Uveal melanoma (UM) which is derived from melanocytes of the eye. Up to 50% of individuals with primary uveal melanoma will eventually develop liver metastases through mechanisms that remain poorly described. At this time there are no systemic therapies available that are effective against uveal melanoma liver metastases. The goal of this study is to better understand the role of tumor- host cell crosstalk in the progression and therapeutic resistance of UM liver metastases. I enjoy traveling and learning about new cultures and cuisine. "
Larissa A.C Carvalho, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Larissa A.C. Carvalho has a bachelor’s in chemistry (2009), and both a Master’s (2012) and a PhD degree (2017) in Biochemistry from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. At this University, she was also a postdoc and is currently a postdoc fellow at Moffitt Cancer Center. Her current research is focused on exploring acral melanoma tumor landscape and testing new therapies for NRAS-mutant melanoma. Her career goal is to be able to develop effective strategies that combine immune and targeted therapies. Furthermore, she would like to develop a possible cancer vaccine to overcome treatment failures and relapses. She is always motivated to acquire new skills that explore breakthrough techniques and increase her knowledge to contribute to the development of therapies that make a difference in clinical application. In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts, functional training and spending time with her family and friends.
Isabella Noma, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Degree in Biomedicine from the State University of Maringá (2017) with scientific initiation projects in Basic Microbiology and Clinical Immunology (UEM). Master's degree from the Health Sciences program working in Clinical Cytology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases with a focus on detecting HPV and other associated bacteria. PhD in the Pharmacy (Physiopathology and Toxicology) program at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCF) at the University of São Paulo (USP), with a project on NRAS-mutated melanoma. Post-doctoral research at Moffitt Cancer Center in collaboration with USP is focused on the role of HDAC8 in UVR-driven melanoma initiation.
Olivia L. Rose, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
I am from Pittsburgh, PA and obtained my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Gannon University in Erie, PA. After my undergraduate studies I earned my Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. My current research interest is evaluating the therapeutic potentials of drug therapies for melanoma treatment. Like many others, my interest to go into cancer research stems from cancer affecting my loved ones. They are my constant drive and motivation to help contribute to this field. Outside of the lab, I enjoy functional training (F45), baking, shopping, and traveling. I also spend my free time with my family and friends.
Navya Siddarajappa, MD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Marvelous Adebowale
Graduate Student (PhD)