Joseph Bonica

imageGraduate Student
Department of Pharmacology

Education:
B.S. Biological Sciences 2012, Cornell University                                                          

Contact Information:
joseph.bonica@stonybrook.edu

Project Description or Research Interest:
Sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) is a key enzyme in sphingolipid regulation, catalyzing the creation of the pro-growth sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate. Because this lipid is involved in pro-survival mechanisms in cells, SK1 is heavily studied in various cancers.My research focuses on the relationship between SK1 and tumor microvesicles, which are rapidly emerging as a key mediator of cancer metastasis and survival.  I am also looking at factors controlling regulation of SK1 after chemotherapy treatment.