Cynthia Simbulan-Rosenthal

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT CYNTHIA SIMBULAN-ROSENTHAL

My research background was initially focused on investigating an important nuclear enzyme, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and its interaction with DNA polymerase a during DNA replication. With a solid background in mammalian DNA replication and repair, and enzymology, I spearheaded the research, design, and implementation of a number of seminal studies on the diverse roles of PARP in differentiation, DNA replication, and apoptosis, and was a key player in several exciting studies in which we determined a pivotal role for PARP in the DNA replication complex, in the early stages of apoptosis, in the maintenance of genomic integrity, as well as in the regulation of gene expression. My current research interests revolve around the roles of specific genes in molecular mechanisms of apoptosis, a form of cellular suicide important in both normal development and a number of human diseases, as well as the practical aspects of modulating this process in the development of therapeutic approaches to cancer, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease. Abnormalities in apoptotic regulation have been shown to play a critical role in pathogenesis of these diseases. Other research efforts have focused on the roles of Inhibitor-of-DNA binding (Id) family proteins (Id1-Id4) in apoptosis, proliferation, skin tumorigenesis and melanomagenesis. A new direction that we have started to explore is the isolation, growth, characterization and targeting of cancer stem cells or tumor initiating cells from patient-derived melanomas.As M.S. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Program Director, I contribute to graduate education and basic/ translational research in Georgetown University Medical Center. I joined Georgetown University in 1993, as postdoctoral fellow, advancing to Assistant Professor in 1998. I established the M.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program as Program Director in 2007. With persistent drive, a demand for excellence, and a strong background in science and teaching, the program expanded from 8 to ~30 students per year. The success of the Masters’ program in training and placing graduates into PhD, medical and dental schools, and academic, government, and biotechnology industry labs, is due to our relentless advocacy for students in the program. With expertise in DNA replication, apoptosis, carcinogenesis, I have authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications, and multiple reviews and chapters. As a scientist/educator who teaches hands-on biomedical science, I continue to use my skills to further my love of teaching.