Faculty

My laboratory studies the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in cancer prevention and progression. Our specific focus is on breast and pancreatic cancer. We use a broad array of basic and translational research approaches to address fundamental aspects of clinical significance by elucidating the vital pathways and mechanisms responsible for cancer growth and development. These approaches include biochemistry, cell biology, genomics, imaging, proteomics, molecular biology, and preclinical animal studies.  We currently are investigating the mechanisms by which early pregnancy reduces lifetime risk of breast cancer. Further, we have developed a short-term hormone treatment, which mimics the protective effect of early pregnancy, and are using this approach to dissect the pathways by which short-term hormone treatment confers protection against breast cancer. We are also developing new treatment strategies against different cancers. We have successfully identified active compounds, which exhibit potent anticancer activities against both breast and pancreatic cancers, and are in the process of translating these experimental results into potential pre-clinical studies.

Education and academic positions

• University of Madras, B.Sc., M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. (1999)
• Assistant, Associate, and Professor / Director of the Center of Emphasis in Cancer, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech Health El Paso, El Paso, TX (2004-present)

Honors (fellowships, career development awards, endowments, etc.)

• Dean's Young Investigator Award (2008)
• Dean's Distinguished Service Award (2009)
• Dean's Excellence in Research Award (2009)
• Editorial Board Member Current Cancer Drug Targets (2013–present)
• Chancellor's Distinguished Research Award (2014)
• Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award (2015)
• University Distinguished Professor Award (2015)

Link to PubMed publications

View Dr. Rajkumar Lakshmanaswamy's publications.

Research Focus 

My work sits at the chemistry–biology interface and focuses on early-stage drug development. We identify and validate novel therapeutic targets, define mechanisms of action, and deliver preclinical proof-of-concept across diverse model systems. By combining medicinal and chemical biology with modern platforms—biophysical and cell-based assays, multiomics, and patient-derived models—we aim to translate molecular insight into tractable interventions for cancer and selected nonmalignant diseases. This cross-disciplinary approach advances our understanding of disease biology while accelerating the path from discovery to mechanism-guided therapies. 

Education and academic positions 

Mahatma Gandhi University, India, Ph.D. (2003) 

Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech Health El Paso, El Paso, Texas (2025-present) 

Assistant/Associate Professor (part-time), UT Health San Antonio, Texas (2019-2025) 

Senior Scientist/Associate Director/Senior Director, biotech industry (2014-2025) 

Staff Scientist, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas (2010-2013) 

Instructor/Assistant Professor, UT Health San Antonio, Texas (2006-2010) 

Post-doctoral: UT Health San Antonio, Texas; University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2002-2006) 

Research Interests: Target identification, tumor-stromal interactions, pharmacophore mimetics, early-stage drug development. 

View Dr. Nair’s publications: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/hareesh.nair.1/bibliography/public/ 

Medical School: University of Benin Medical School, Nigeria

Advanced Degree: M.P.H., School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Residency: Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN

Fellowship: Fellow, Medical Students Educators Institute Society of Teachers in Family Medicine

American Board of Medical Specialties: Certified American Board of Family Medicine

Research Interests: Women’s health

My research interests focus on cancer biology in the areas of drug discovery, prevention and treatment, with an emphasis on pancreatic and breast cancers. I am investigating the effects of various active phytochemicals, hormones and growth factors on cancer growth and progression, particularly with regard to the biochemical and signaling pathways associated with oxidative stress.

I am performing these investigations using in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches, ranging from tissue culture, analysis of human tissue samples, mouse models and patient-derived xenografts. I hope to identify key regulatory genes that trigger and promote carcinogenesis, and stimulate cancer growth and metastasis.

Further areas of interest include cancer biomarkers and novel small molecule therapeutics. These findings can potentially be used to design novel preventive and treatment strategies against cancers. 

Education and academic positions

• Ph.D., Biotechnology (2006 -2010), Anna University, Chennai, India
• M.Sc., Biochemistry (2001- 2003), University of Madras, Chennai, India
• B.Sc., Biochemistry (1999- 2001), University of Madras, Chennai, India
• Research Assistant Professor (September 2018–Present), Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, Texas
• Senior Research Associate (January 2017–August 2018), Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, Texas
• Post-Doctoral Research Associate (May 2012–December 2016), Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, Texas

Honors (fellowships, career development awards, endowments, etc.)

• Coldwell Foundation: Gedunin Pancan 2 (2021 -2022)
• Oral presentation: The role of transcription factor HNF1α in pancreatic cancer cells. 11thAnnual Research Colloquium, April 19, 2017, Texas Tech Health El Paso PLFSOM, El Paso, Texas.
• ENDO presidential poster competition winner: Hyperglycemia-induced leptin signaling enhances expression of oncogenic microRNAs and microRNAs governing stem cell self-renewal in normal and malignant breast epithelial cells. Endocrine Society's 96th Annual Meeting and Expo, Neoplasia of Endocrine Tissues 2014/6: Abstract # MON-0314; June 21–24, 2014, Chicago, Illinois.
• 1st place for best poster presentation: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma growth and metastasis is inhibited by silencing Growth hormone receptor. 8thAnnual Research colloquium. May 5-8, 2014, Texas Tech Health El Paso PLFSOM, El Paso, Texas.
• “Nimbolide inhibits pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis through ROS-mediated apoptosis and inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Scientific Reports, 2016 Jan 25; 6: 19819. PMID: 26804739”. This manuscript was cited by several websites, newsletters, and social media (February 2016)
• Senior Research Fellowship (January 2007-December 2010), Indian council of medical research (ICMR), Delhi, India.
• Senior Research Fellowship (January 2005-December 2005), Anna University – Centre for Biotechnology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
• Junior Research Fellowship (January 2004-December 2004), Anna University – Centre for Biotechnology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
• ENDO presidential poster competition winner: Hyperglycemia-induced leptin signaling enhances expression of oncogenic microRNAs and microRNAs governing stem cell self-renewal in normal and malignant breast epithelial cells. Endocrine Society's 96th Annual Meeting and Expo, Neoplasia of Endocrine Tissues 2014/6: Abstract # MON-0314; June 21–24, 2014, Chicago, Illinois.

Link to research publications

View Dr. Ramadevi Subramani Reddy's publications.