Mario A. Shields Research Lab

Mario A. Shields, PhD

Mario A. Shields, PhD

  • Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine

Faculty Page

Office: (631) 216-9350

Email: mario.shields@stonybrook.edu

Stony Brook Medicine
Department of Pathology
Basic Science Tower, Level 9, Room 150-L
Stony Brook, NY 11794

Research Program

Department

Research Interest

My laboratory investigates the mechanisms of development and progression of diseases affecting the exocrine pancreas, such as pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Chronic pancreatitis is a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer, which is one of the most aggressive malignancies and among the highest mortality rate of all cancers. Current projects in the lab are focused on investigating the roles of a G-protein signaling and cell polarity in pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis. Our lab previously demonstrated that pancreas-specific deletion of the G-protein, Galpha13, promotes tumor development in a genetic mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Our ongoing studies aim to define the mechanisms by which Galpha13 regulates tumor metabolism and inflammation. We recently showed that deletion of cell polarity protein, Par3, promotes pancreas tissue injury and delays regeneration. We are exploring how Par3 regulates tumor development and cellular plasticity.

Education

  • BS, MPhil, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica
  • PhD, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
  • Postdoc, Cancer Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York

Publications

Back to top