Alexander S. Chen, PhD recently joined the research laboratory of NF Center Director, David H. Gutmann, MD, PhD, as a postdoctoral research scientist. Dr. Chen completed his PhD training in Cancer Biology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Under the mentorship of Renee D. Read, PhD, Dr. Chen investigated how the novel protein kinases RIOK2 and Drak/STK17A are regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in malignant brain tumors.
As a postdoctoral research scientist, Dr. Chen will focus on the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells to model low-grade gliomas. More specifically, Dr. Chen will investigate how distinct driver mutations in progenitor cells are responsible for the unique spatial and temporal patterning of pediatric low-grade gliomas.