Alejandra F
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at Rutgers University
Expertise
Cancer Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Cancer Epigenetics
Bio
My name is Alejandra I. Ferrer. I completed my PhD in cancer biology, where I focused on cancer epigenetics and cancer stem cells. Did you know that one of the reasons why cancer patients relapse is due to the presence of cancer stem cells? These malignant stem cells are resistant to treatment and trick the immune system so they can survive for long periods. My interest as a cancer biologist is to understand how these cells behave and to decipher mechanisms in which we can potentially target them. Personal interests: Being a scientist is great! however, it is important to have hobbies outside of our work. I have a huge passion for the arts; I love to sing, dance, and paint. Also, I really like going for a nice hike and appreciate nature. I am a firm believer that science should be accessible to everyone! I am extremely passionate about mentoring and seeing students thrive.Project ideas
Dormant cancer cells: The force awakens
Did you know that cancer cells undergo a process called dormancy to evade immune surveillance? Dormancy is a mechanism by which cancer cells are not actively undergoing the cell cycle process, allowing them to remain "asleep" within a patient's body. The major problem with dormant cancer cells is that once they "wake up", they are highly metastatic and are resistant to treatment. Are you interested in learning more about this topic while also doing a project that excites you? If so, I look forward to working with you. This project could be conducted in multiple ways: a scientific blog, a review article, a brief video, or a podcast.
On top of genetics- Epigenetics in cancer
Mutations within a cell are a driving force in cancer; however, it is not the only way a cell could become malignant. In this project, you will explore how epigenetic modifications (ie. DNA methylation or DNA oxidations) can facilitate cancer cell survival. This project could be conducted in multiple ways: a scientific blog, a review article, a brief video, or a podcast.