OMB No. 0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 08/12 Approved Through 8/31/2015)
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Provide the following information for the Senior/key personnel and other significant contributors.
Follow this format for each person. DO NOT EXCEED FIVE PAGES.
NAME: Randy Burd
eRA COMMONS USER NAME (credential, e.g., agency login): RANDYBURD
POSITION TITLE: Assistant Vice President & Associate Professor
EDUCATION/TRAINING (Begin with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing, include
postdoctoral training and residency training if applicable. Add/delete rows as necessary.)
INSTITUTION AND LOCATION
University College at Buffalo
University at Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Inst.
Thomas Jefferson University
DEGREE
(if applicable)
Completion
Date
MM/YYYY
B.S.
05/1994
Biological Sci.
Ph.D.
07/1998
Cell & Mol. Biophys.
Post-doc.
08/2002
Rad. & Cancer Bio.
FIELD OF STUDY
A. Personal Statement
I have a senior administrative role in international research development and maintain an active research
program as an Associate Professor in the department of Nutritional Sciences. Since 2004 I have been involved
in teaching and performing cross-disciplinary research in Radiation Oncology and Nutritional Genomics.
Current research interests in my laboratory include tumor prevention and investigation of tumor treatments with
biological response modifiers and bioactive compounds that increase tumor treatment response. I investigate
compounds that alter tumor cell function, metabolism, tumor genesis and genomic activation. Particular
compounds include pharmaceutical drugs designed to specifically target tumors, bioactive nutritional
components, such as bioflavonoids, and compounds that regulate tumor glucose metabolism. Recent
experimental work also includes translation of mechanistic data obtained from our tumor studies into cancer
preventative approaches through dietary intake. Relatedly, I have extensive research experience in large-scale
animal studies involving radiation therapy, coupled with investigations in genomic response to dietary
supplementation. My laboratory program has been funded through various international, federal, state,
foundation and industrial sources. I serve as PI on several current and recent large multi-institutional grants
and projects.
1. Thangasamy T, Sittadjody S, Mitchell G, Limesand KH and Burd R*. Quercetin abrogates
chemoresistance in melanoma cells by modulating ΔNp7. BMC Cancer. 10: 282, 2010.
2. Vargas AJ, Sittadjody S, Thangasamy T, Mendoza EE, Limesand KH and Burd R*. Exploiting tyrosinase
expression and activity in melanocytic tumors: Quercetin and the central role of p53. Integrative Cancer
Therapies.10(4):328-40, 2011
3. Mendoza EE, Pocceschi M, Kong X, Caro J, Limesand KH, Leeper DB and Burd R*. Control of glycolytic
flux by AMP-activated protein kinase in tumor cells adapted to low pH. Trans Oncol. Transl Oncol. June;
5(3): 208–216, 2012.
4. Panayi ND, Mars MM, Burd R*. The promise of digital (mobile) health in cancer prevention and treatment.
Future Oncol 9(5):613-7, 2013.
*corresponding author
B. Positions and Honors
Positions and Employment
2002-2005
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University.
2003-2005
Director, Pre-clinical Therapeutics, Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson U.
2005-2011
Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona (UA)
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2011-Present
2012-Present
2012-Present
2015-2016
Associate Professor with Tenure, Department of Nutritional Sciences, UA
Assistant Director, Global Initiatives, UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Assistant Vice President for Program Innovation, Global Initiatives, UA
Visiting Professor, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Puebla, MX
Adjunct Positions
2001-2015
Associated Faculty, School of Radiation Therapy, Cooper Health System, NJ
2004-2012
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Radiological Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University
2005-2014
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Radiologic Sciences, Holy Family College
2004-Present Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson U.
Honors
1994
2004
2004
2008
2009
2011
2012
2012
2014
Cum Laude, University College at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
David Vernon Bullough Award for Academic Excellence in Biology, University College at
Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Young Alumnus Achievement Award, University College at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Lamda nu Lecturer, Radiation Biology Honor Society, Holy Family College, Philadelphia, PA
Bart Cardon Early Career Faculty Teaching Award, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences,
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Research Career Development Award, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, University of
Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Fellow, Academic Leadership Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Fellow, Bart Cardon Teaching Academy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
International Faculty Lecturer, Universidad Estatal de Sonora, Hermosillo, MX
Journal
2010-2014
Nutrition and Cancer, Associate Editor
2012-Present Journal of Food and Nutritional Disorders, Founding Editorial Board
2014-Present Nutrition and Cancer, Editorial Board
Grant review
2008
Department of Defense, Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Clinical & Experimental
Therapeutics #1, Scientist Reviewer
2009
Department of Defense, BCRP Concept-Cell Biology #2, Online Reviewer
2010
Department of Defense, BCRP Clinical & Experimental Therapeutics #1, Scientist Reviewer
2011
USDA Higher Education Challenge Review Panel, Scientific Reviewer
2012
Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Production of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cancer Stem
Cells Subsequent to Acute Radiation Exposure, Scientific Reviewer
2014
Partners of the Americas 100K Strong Round Five
C. Contribution to Science
1. Radiation sensitization by small molecules and bioactive compounds.
My early work focused on manipulating cellular processes to alter radiation response, and I was involved in
several collaborative efforts with researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop novel protocols for
tumor treatment and normal tissue protection. The major discovery emerging from this research was the
development of several animal tumor models to test tumor and normal tissue response to radiation.
Discoveries using these models included novel drug mechanisms that decreased VEGF production and
increased DNA damage; additionally, research showed mechanisms that tumor suppressor protein p53
had in normal tissue response in the salivary gland.
a. Burd R* and Wachsberger PR. Application of radiotherapy and chemotherapy protocols to pre-clinical
tumor models. Current Protocols in Pharmacology, 14.7, 2007.
b. Wachsberger PR, Burd R, Cardi C, Thakur M, Daskalakis C, Holash J, Yancopoulos GD and Dicker
AP. VEGF trap in combination with radiotherapy improves tumor control in U87 glioblastoma. Int J
Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 67(5): 1526-37, 2007.
c. Avila JL, Grundmann O, Burd R and Limesand KH. Radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction
results from p53-dependent apoptosis. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 73(2): 523-9, 2009.
d. Wachsberger PR, Burd R, Ryan A, Daskalakis D and Dicker AD. Combination of vandetanib,
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radiotherapy and irinotecan in the LoVo human colorectal cancer xenograft model. Int J Radiat Oncol
Biol Phys 75(3): 854-61, 2009.
2. Mechanisms of p53 Antagonism in Melanoma.
Based on discoveries described above, my laboratory focused on p53 protein family control mechanisms.
Many melanoma tumors are p53 positive; p53 expression increases with tumorigenesis, yet p53’s antitumor activity is blocked by antagonistic p53 family member tumors that contain deletion mutations. The
inhibitory activity of one such family member (∆Np73) primarily depends on its nuclear localization, where it
blocks p53 transcriptional activity. We demonstrated quercetin induces the nuclear ∆Np73 isoform export to
the cytoplasm and restores p53 functionality.
a. Thangasamy T, Sittadjody S, Lanza-Jacoby S, Wachsberger PR, Limesand KH and Burd R*.
Quercetin selectively inhibits bioreduction and enhances apoptosis in melanoma cells that overexpress
tyrosinase. Nutr Cancer 59(2): 258-68, 2007.
b. Thangasamy T, Sittadjody S, Limesand KH and Burd R*. Tyrosinase overexpression promotes ATMdependent p53 phosphorylation by quercetin and sensitizes melanoma cells to dacarbazine. Cell Oncol
30(5): 371-87, 2008.
c. Mitchell GC, Fillinger JL, Sittadjody S, Avila JL, Burd R and Limesand KH. IGF1 activates cell cycle
arrest following irradiation by reducing binding of ΔNp63 to the p21 promoter. Cell Death and Disease
1:e50; doi:10.1038/cddis.2010.28.
d. Thangasamy T, Sittadjody S, Mitchell G, Limesand KH and Burd R*. Quercetin abrogates
chemoresistance in melanoma cells by modulating ΔNp7. BMC Cancer. 10: 282, 2010.
3. Dietary Quercetin as a Chemo-preventative Agent.
Moreover, we demonstrated that tyrosinase overexpression induces ∆Np73; thus, it is conceivable that
tyrosinase induction is a key step in melanoma oncogenesis. Through these findings my laboratory
proposed a novel therapeutic approach and I subsequently received NIH grant funding through the
proposal, “Prevention of Melanoma by Targeting Tyrosinanse with Dietary Quercetin”. Major findings
included micro environmental p53 induction by low pH, and the subsequent alteration of glycolytic enzymes
in tumors. Findings indicated the induction of p53 could be modified by dietary intake and could be
genetically specific to the disease so diet could be tailored to induce controlled induction of p53 and its
family members.
a. Vargas AJ and Burd R*. Hormesis and synergy: pathways and mechanisms of quercetin in cancer
prevention and management. Nutr Rev 68(7): 418-28, 2010.
b. b. Vargas AJ, Sittadjody S, Thangasamy T, Mendoza EE, Limesand KH and Burd R*. Exploiting
tyrosinase expression and activity in melanocytic tumors: Quercetin and the central role of p53.
Integrative Cancer Therapies.10(4):328-40, 2011
c. Mendoza EE and Burd R*. Quercetin as a systemic chemopreventative agent: structural and functional
mechanisms. Mini Rev Med Chem. 11(14):1216-21, 2011.
d. Mendoza EE, Pocceschi M, Kong X, Caro J, Limesand KH, Leeper DB and Burd R*. Control of
glycolytic flux by AMP-activated protein kinase in tumor cells adapted to low pH. Transl Oncol. June;
5(3): 208–216, 2012.
4. Establishment Nutrigenomics Program in Obesity and Cancer.
In addition to mechanistic tumor studies, I have led multi-faceted teams to advance the following
comprehensive research and instructional programs: “Collaborative Mind Mapping Solution to the Obesity
Challenge” project, and “Nutrigenomics for Disease Prevention and Intervention.” Both programs were
funded through multi-institutional grants. With researchers from the UA, Thomas Jefferson University (TJU)
and New Mexico State University (MNSU) my team built a novel software platform and mobile application
used to track dietary behaviors, paving the way for the technology to be used in innovative ways to collect
and visualize dietary and genomic data. Current studies focus on how dietary behaviors impact obesity and
genomic response; these efforts led to collaborative international research and educational programs in
Nutritional Genomics—specifically, technology transfer diffusion and innovation: collection of genomic data,
then using technology to analyze genomic/diet/behavior information and disseminating information to the
public.
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a. Mendoza EE and Burd, R*. The personalization of disease prevention and intervention by tailored
medicine and nutrition. J Food Nutr Disor. 1:1, 2012.
b. Hingle M, Yoon D, Fowler J, Kobourov S, Schneider ML, Falk D and Burd R*. Collection and
visualization of dietary behavior and reasons for eating. J Med Internet Res 24;15(6):e125, 2013.
c. Panayi ND, Mars MM, Burd R*. The promise of digital (mobile) health in cancer prevention and
treatment. Future Oncol 9(5):613-7, 2013.
5. Nanotechnology and Health Sciences.
In addition to administrative roles, my radiation and oncology research program continues via
demonstrating a diet containing quercetin could have potential adjuvant therapy effects (Donovan M,
pending). Dietary accumulation of quercetin in tissues may be insufficient for anti-tumor response so more
potent delivery mechanisms must be explored. My most recent grant, titled “Nanotechnology 2020,” in
collaboration with Johns Hopkins University, builds off the success of this basic research program and
finding. A related goal to this project will be to focus on nanoparticle-based bioactive compound delivery,
such as delivery of quercetin to tumors, or delivery of apoptosis inhibitors to normal tissues to protect
against radiation damage.
a. Martin KL, Hill GA, Klein RR, Arnett DG, Burd R and Limesand KH. Prevention of radiation-induced
salivary gland dysfunction utilizing a CDK inhibitor in a mouse model. PLoS One. 2012;7(12), 2012.
b. Mars MM and Burd R. Toward a social entrepreneurship model for university technology transfer. J
Entrepreneurship & Organization Mgmt. J Entrepren Organiz Manag 2:104, 2013
c. Morgan-Bathke M, Hill GA, Harris ZI, Lin HH, Chibly AM, Klein RR, Burd R, Ann DK and Limesand KH.
Autophagy correlates with maintenance of salivary gland function following radiation. Sci Rep.
6(4):5206, 2014.
Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography: Randy Burd PHD MyBibliography
D. Research Support
Ongoing
2014-70003-22358
(Burd, PI)
10/01/14-09/31/17
USDA/CSREES
Nanotechnology 2020.”
Proposal foci: to create a tri-university consortium designed to foster nanotechnology research and
instructional activities specific to solving contemporary problems in agriculture and the health sciences. Health
science students in cancer research will focus on magnetic nanoparticle therapies. The consortium will include
nanotechnology centers and experts from the University of Arizona (UA), Northern Arizona University (NAU)
and Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Specific consortium deliverables will include collaborative research and
interdisciplinary courses that are highly adoptable by national and international nanotechnology programs.
Targeted research projects will bring students from multiple universities together to solve common problems
confronting society, furthering consortium value and preparing students for 2020 and beyond grand challenges
in medicine.
Role: PI
5R01 DE023534-03
(Limesand/David, MPI)
04/01/14-12/31/18
NIH/NIDCR
Functional Restoration through Salivary Progenitor Label Retaining Cells.
The long-term proposal goal is to evaluate whether novel therapies that promote apical-basal polarity within
salivary stem/progenitor cells and their respective niches could improve clinical therapeutics for chronic
salivary gland dysfunction and xerostomia following radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
Role: Co-Investigator
2014-38420-21799
(Going/Burd, MPI)
02/01/14-01/31/19
USDA/NIFA
National Needs Fellows Training Grant on Childhood Obesity
The goal of this grant is to train graduate students in nutrition and childhood obesity fields. Upon graduation,
Fellows will have necessary skills to make significant contributions to research and programmatic initiatives
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aimed at childhood obesity prevention. Fellows will receive multidisciplinary training (coursework and
experimental learning) contributing to core competencies, including team science, laboratory rotations, bench
and clinical/translation, grant and publication writing, scientific presentations, dissertation research, online and
formal teaching, and out-reach education projects. An in-country international research experience is also
supported by the this program.
Role: Co-PI
4216990
(Burd/Proctor, MPI)
12/15/14-12/04/16
INCA/SAGARPA (Mexico)
Binational Partnership in University Extension and Innovation.
This is a multinational and multi-university grant; initiative objective is to help engage Mexican universities to
leverage health knowledge, information and technologies in order to provide a variety of improved health
outcomes within rural communities. The ultimate goal of this pilot project is to establish a network of
institutions working together to implement university engagement in the development of rural and often poor
Mexican communities. Technology transfer activities will be adapted to the needs and cultural conditions within
Mexican rural communities.
Role: Co-PI
Completed
5R01 DE018888-05
(Limesand, PI)
08/01/08-07/31/14
NIH/NIDCR
Mechanisms of IGF1-mediated Rescue of Radiation-induced Salivary Gland Dysfunction
The general proposal goal was to identify mechanisms to preserve salivary gland function following exposure
to radiation by evaluating cellular repair mechanisms and cell growth. The study results have the potential to
prevent or restore salivary gland function to head and neck cancer patients.
Role: Co-Investigator
USDA-NIFA-CGP-0026
(Burd, PI)
08/01/10-07/31/14
USDA/NIFA
A Collaborative Mind-Mapping Solution to the Obesity Challenge
Project aims were to develop a new approach to obesity prevention research and education. We utilized
technologies and developed a novel, web-based software platform to engage, support and train future and
current interventionists in behavioral-based approaches to obesity prevention.
Role: PI
5R21 CA139183-02
(Burd, PI)
01/04/11-12/31/13
NIH/NCI
Prevention of Melanoma by Targeting Tyrosinase with Dietary Quercetin
The proposed goals align with NIH Exploratory Cancer Prevention Studies Involving Molecular Targets for
Bioactive Food Components program announcement. My project addressed the initiative to promote research
focused on the identification and characterization of molecular targets for bioactive food components. Results
provided a mechanistic basis and rationale for consumption of specific whole foods or supplementation to
prevent cancer.
Role:PI
5