Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Joya Chandra, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Email: jchandra@mdanderson.org
B.S. Microbiology, Louisiana State University, 1993
Ph.D. Cancer Biology and Immunology, University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1998
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Division of Toxicology, Institute for Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 1998-2000
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, 2000-2002
Hobbies: Cooking, kayaking and canoeing
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Cavan Bailey
Graduate Student
Email: cpbailey@mdanderson.org
B.A. Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, 2009
Cavan is interested in how epigenetic mechanisms can affect therapeutic response in brain tumors, particularly pediatric subtypes like diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). His project focuses on the histone demethylase LSD1 and its role in governing genes related to immune response and metabolic regulation. He is also exploring how nutrient availability can change anti-tumor efficacy of epigenetic inhibitors and proteasome inhibitors, which may provide insight into how our diets influence cancer treatment.
Hobbies: biking, live music and fashion
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Tiewei (Leo) Cheng, M.D., Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Email: tcheng@mdanderson.org
Ph.D. Experimental Therapeutics, University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 2014
M.D. Wenzhou Medical University, 2005
Leo’s project focuses on the role of histone deacetylation (HDAC) in refractory multiple myeloma and the therapeutic potential of HDAC inhibitors. He examines the specific role of class II HDACs in the development and maintenance of bortezomib resistance and investigates novel drug combinations in search of a more efficacious treatment regimen to combat refractory disease.
Hobbies: Exercise and electronic gadgets
Hometown: Wenzhen, China
Mary Figuerora
Graduate Student
Email: MFigueroa1@mdanderson.org
B.S. Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, 2016
Mary's work focuses on studying factors that can induce elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body, which can promote aggressive forms of leukemia; elevated ROS can come from different sources, including diet and cigarette smoke. I will observe how modifying ROS levels impacts leukemia treatment response. I hope to find ways to reduce this change in ROS as a method to help treat leukemia patients.
Hobbies: watching movies, eating, sketching and reading
Hometown: Glendale, AZ
Leslie Grasse
Research Assistant II
Email: lmgrasse@mdanderson.org
B.S. Neuroscience, Indiana University, 2014
Leslie is interested in epigenetic regulation of glial stem cells as a therapeutic end for brain tumors. Standard care treatment regimens, such as chemotherapy and radiation, often fail to combat the stem-like self-renewal capacity often seen with relapse/refractory gliomas. To address this, Leslie investigates genetic and pharmacological inhibition of the histone demethylase LSD1 as a single agent and in combination with histone deacetylation inhibitors in radiation sensitive and radiation resistant glial stem cells.
Hobbies: running, yoga, cooking
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Brianna Murphy, DO
Pediatric Oncology Fellow
Email: BRMurphy@mdanderson.org
B.S. Biology, St. Edwards University
D.O. University of North Texas
Pediatrics Residency, Texas A&M Scott and White Memorial Hopital
Brianna's work focus on energy balance and the association of diet and cancer development, disease burden and metastasis in murine models. In addition, she lends her clinical expertise to several studies in the Chandra laboratory including our current Nutrition Counseling Study and BMI trajectory study.
Hobbies: Hanging out with her dogs, live music and hiking
Hometown: Kyle, TX
Margaret (Maggie) Raber, M.P.H., Dr.P.H.
Graduate Research Assistant
Email: mpraber@mdanderson.org
Diplome Cuisine, Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, 2006
B.S. Nutrition/Food Studies, New York University, 2010
M.P.H. Community Health Practice, University of Texas School of Public Health, 2014
Margaret's research focuses on healthy eating promotion for childhood cancer patients and survivors. She manages the Children's Cancer Hospital online cookbook "At The Table," works on curriculum and metric development, and interacts directly with families by teaching cooking classes.
Hobbies: rock climbing and surfing
Hometown: Houston, TX
Lisa Wartenberg, MFA, RD, LD
Research Dietitian
Email: lwartenberg@mdanderson.org
B.A. Dramatic Arts, New York University, 2008
M.F.A. Acting, University of Houston, 2012
ACEND Didactic Program in Dietetics, University of Houston, 2017
On-Site Dietetic Internship Program, University of Houston, 2018
Lisa works as a research dietician with the ON to Life Program on the pediatric energy balance studies and promotes and maintains the e-Cookbook, At The Table, which was created in conjunction with the Children's Cancer Hospital. She is also responsible for conducting nutrition counseling, nutrition and cooking classes, and acts as a liaison between the ON to Life team, clinical nutrition patients, and their families. Finally, she serves on the Family Advisory Council, representing the pediatric research team.
Hobbies: reading, cooking, writing, yoga, working as a professional actor
Hometown: South Florida
Sahar Eshtehardi, M.S.
Graduate Student & UHAND Graduate Scholar
Email: sseshtehardi@mdanderson.org
B.S. Psychology, University of Houston, 2013
M.S. Counseling, University of Houston Clear Lake, 2016
Sahar's research interests include the bio-psychosocial mechanisms that influence health outcomes in adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors, with a special interest in adherence, behavioral interventions, and health-related quality of life of youth and their families. With that in mind, she is currently working on a project that will examine the use of virtual reality as a mechanism to change health behaviors and reduce anxiety in pediatric cancer survivors. Additionally, she is interested in examining adherence factors and health-related quality of life of families in the Nutrition Counseling Study.
Hobbies: volunteering at the local animal shelter, plant-based cooking, & hot yoga
Hometown: Houston, TX
Luisa Coronel
Graduate Student
Email: lcoronel@mdanderson.org
A.S. Chemistry, Southwestern Community College, 2012
A.A. Mathematics, Southwestern Community College, 2012
B.S. Chemistry, University of California San Diego, 2015
Luisa’s projects focus on the role of antioxidants in tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in myeloid leukemias. In CML, the lab has discovered a novel pathway where the NADPH oxidase (NOX) 2 complex promotes expression of the transcription factor early growth response 1 (egr-1) and its downstream target Fyn, leading to resistance to BCR/ABL-1 directed TKI. In AML, elevated ROS production as a result of Flt3-ITD expression increases expression of the antioxidant HO-1. The mechanism of this up-regulation is under investigation; however, we believe that, much like in CML, it involves the NOX complex. Further, we have found that by targeting the transcription factor responsible for HO-1 expression (Nrf2) or HO-1 directly we can sensitize Flt3-ITD expressing cells to Flt3-directed TKIs.
Hobbies: board games, podcast, TV and film theories
Hometown: Chula Vista, CA