Sub area of cancer - select from Name Contact details Potential project details/area of research (no more than 50 words) Medical Oncology Prof. Laurence Egan +35391495355 Laurence.egan@nuigalway.ie Haematological Oncology Prof Francis J Giles Tel: +353860448102 Email: frankgiles@aol.com Haematological Oncology (Multiple Myeloma) Dr Sanjeev Gupta (Supervisor) Email:Sanjeev.Gupta@nuigalway.ie Michael.Odwyer@hse.ie Cancer-immune interactions have profound effects on the development and spread of tumours. Work we have conducted in colon cancer patients and in model systems has shown that specific cytokines of the immune system promote tumour development and progression. We have also found that tumours control the immune system in their microenvironment, which in turn regulates tumour growth. This project will study the molecular factors involved in cancerimmune interactions by adopting a translational approach to discover novel molecular mechanisms. The project will involve molecular, epigenomic and bioinformatic techniques. Fellow would focus on developmental therapeutics in the area of Jak-2 kinase modulation in myelofibrosis and related malignancies including development of novel combination regimens. Fellow would utilise the Phase I/II study conduct and education resources of the NUIG Clinical Research Facility including IT, biostatistics, data-management, nursing, pharmacy, and QA staff. Role miR-17-92 and miR-106b-25 clusters multiple myeloma Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal B-cell malignancy characterized by the aberrant expansion of plasma cells (PCs). microRNA expression profiling has revealed upregulation of miR-17-92 and the miR-106-25 clusters in MM. We propose to evaluate the role these microRNA clusters in chemosensitivty and prognosis in multiple myeloma. Adverse effects (AE) on urinary, bowel and sexual function may occur post brachytherapy implantation for prostate cancer. This project will examine intrinsic phenotypic properties of a patient’s prostate and inherited genetic polymorphisms that Surgical Oncology Medical Oncology Radiation Oncology Psycho-Oncology Haematological Oncology Prof Michael O‘Dwyer (cosupervisor) Radiation Oncology Prof. Frank Sullivan Dr. Sharon Glynn Tel: +353-91-542579 Email: frank.sullivan@hse.ie Tel: +353-91-494242 Email: sharon.glynn@nuigalway.ie Medical Oncology Prof. Frank Giles Dr. Sharon Glynn Haematological Oncology Prof Lokesh Joshi (supervisor) Tel: +353-91-495970 Email: francis.j.giles@nuigalway.ie Tel: +353-91-494242 Email: sharon.glynn@nuigalway.ie Tel: 091 495768 Email: lokesh.joshi@nuigalway.ie Prof Michael O’Dwyer Cosupervisor) Haematological Oncology Prof Michael O’Dwyer (supervisor) Dept of Haematology, UCHG Michael.Odwyer@hse.ie Prof Afshin Samali (co-supervisor) Haematological Oncology Prof Afshin Samali (supervisor) Tel: 091 495750 Email: afshin.samali nuigalway.ie may predispose to the development of AE post brachytherapy thus facilitating improvements in therapy delivery and efficacy. Prostate cancer bone metastasis are the greatest barrier to its cure. This project will develop in vitro/in vivo models of prostate cancer bone metastasis, in which the interactions between cancer cells and the bone microenvironment, particularly the stem cell niche, will be studied and used to test novel therapeutic agents. Interactions between multiple myeloma cells and their microenvironment, mediated by adhesion molecules, such as integrins and ligands play an important role in dissemination and drug resistance. This project will look at the effect of integrin and selectin inhibitors on cell trafficking and drug resistance in multiple myeloma. Activation of the IRE1/XBP1 pro-survival branch of the Unfolded Protein Response promotes the survival of multiple myeloma cells. Using an IRE1 ribonuclease inhibitor, MKC3946, we plan to elucidate further the role of this pathway in multiple myeloma and identify the best partner drugs to use in combination with IRE1 inhibition. Overcoming bortizomib resistance in multiple myeloma by targeting unfolded protein response Prof Michael O’Dwyer Cosupervisor) Haematological Oncology Prof. Corrado Santocanale Tel: +35391495174 Email: corrado.santocanale@nuigalway.ie Medical Oncology Prof. Michael Kerin Discipline of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Institute Cdc7 kinase is a key molecular switch of DNA replication and its inhibition represents a novel anticancer strategy. By combining basic and translational research approaches we aim to understand the relevance of Cdc7 kinase in haematological malignancies and how Cdc7 inhibitors can be developed into treatment. MicroRNAs and Breast Cancer: MiRNAs are short RNA molecules that regulate gene expression across a range of biological Tel: (091) 524390 Email: michael.kerin@nuigalway.ie Medical Oncology Prof. Terry Smith (Supervisor) School of Natural Sciences Tel. 353 91 495488 Email: terry.smith@nuigalway.ie Prof. Michael Kerin (co-supervisors) Psycho-oncology Dr. AnnMarie Groarke Head, School of Psychology, NUI, Galway. Tel: 00353 91 493098 Email: annmarie.groarke@nuigalway.ie Psycho-oncology Dr. Brian McGuire Psycho-oncology Dr Jane Walsh Director, Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology, Co-Director, Centre for Pain Research, School of Psychology, NUI Galway 00353 91) 493266 brian.mcguire@nuigalway.ie Director , Structured PhD in Health Psychology, School of Psychology NUI Galway T: +353 91 493102 E: jane.walsh@nuigalway.ie processes. Recent studies from this laboratory have shown significantly altered circulating miRNA levels in breast cancer patients compared with healthy individuals. Cancer-specific miRNAs in tumour tissue and the circulation will be investigated. Correlation of molecular subtypes of breast cancer with circulating miRNAs suggests there may be specific circulating miRNA signatures of breast cancer that can be used for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Our goal is to develop Point of Care molecular diagnostics assays for the detection of miRNA signatures to diagnose, subtype and support treatment of breast cancer and other types of cancer. The role of illness beliefs and coping strategies on adjustment in cancer. The efficacy of psychosocial interventions for women with breast cancer. The influence of psychological predictors on quality of life in men with prostate cancer. Other interests include risk perceptions and attitudes to cancer, posttraumatic growth and benefit finding in the cancer experience, adjustment strategies in children of mothers with cancer. Pain management and pain coping in cancer, psychological impact of cancer, effectiveness of psychological treatments in cancer, psychological factors affecting disease progression and recovery, psychological factors affecting outcome of cancer treatments. Areas of research interest include: developing strategies to improve cancer screening and cancer prevention; development of interventions to reduce anxiety and pain in patients undergoing cancer treatment. The development of educational interventions to improve patient adherence to medical advice.