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, canoeing
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Karla Crawford, M.P.H
Research Dietitian
Email: kdanders@mdanderson.org
B.S. Human Nutrition and Foods, University of Houston, 2006
Dietetic Internship, University of Texas Health Science Center, 2011
M.P.H. Epidemiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 2011
Karla currently works as a research dietitian 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 a liaison between the ON to Life team, clinical nutrition patients and their families.
Hobbies: Spending time with family & friends, DIY projects
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Margaret (Maggie) Raber, M.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, surfing
Hometown: Houston, TX
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, electronic gadgets
Hometown: Wenzhen, China
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, fashion
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Luisa Coronel
Graduate Student
Email: lcoronel@mdanderson.org
A.S. Chemistry, Southwestern Community College, 2012
A.A. Mathematics, Southwestern Community College, 2012
B.A. 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
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: ballet, yoga, gardening, cooking, music
Hometown: St. Louis, MO