I direct research in cancer drug discovery writ large. This is primarily focused on target identification, characterization, and validation, although we also have experience in assay development and hit generation. This work is centered on studies of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) family hormones and ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases. We are particularly interested in BRAF-WT melanomas, triple-negative breast cancers, and childhood brain tumors.I also teach undergraduate students, graduate (M.S. and Ph.D.) students, and professional degree (Pharm.D.) students. My teaching responsibilities are focused on research project conceptualization and execution; cancer chemotherapy; cancer biology, genetics, pharmacology, and drug discovery.

I consult on pharmaceutical intellectual property legal issues. I specialize in providing expert opinions on the mechanisms of action of anticancer drugs.

I administered and directed school-wide research and graduate programs at the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy. I also directed a personal research program focused on investigating the roles that EGF family hormones and ErbB family receptors play in human malignancies.Outcomes of note include (1) extramural funding growth from ~$250K/year to ~$3M/year; (2) graduate student enrollment growth from ~20 to ~70; (3) development of PharmD-PhD, PharmD-MPH, and BS-MS dual degree programs; (4) planning and construction of a $14M pharmaceutical sciences research building; (5) development of a pharmaceutical engineering graduate education initiative and securing a DoEd GAANN training grant to support that initiative; (6) fostering of numerous partnerships with the private sector, including agreements with Kowa Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Southern Research Institute, PharmaVite, GE Biosciences, and War Eagle Laboratories; (7) fostering partnerships with programs at area universities, most notably the UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences .

I taught pathophysiology, cancer pharmacology, and bioanalytical chemistry to students in the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program. I also lectured in various graduate-level courses. I directed a cancer research laboratory involved in various aspects of cancer pharmacology and cancer drug discovery.

Associate Research Scientist under the mentorship of David F. Stern.

Postdoctoral Fellow under the mentorship of David F. Stern.

Student researcher under the direction of James Selkirk, Reinhold Mann, and Betty K. Mansfield.