People

Currently, I hold the position of Professor of Anatomy within the HDF Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCSF. My research work delves into the involvement of TGFbeta signaling pathway components in vascular biology and cancer. I have also taken on the role of Principal Investigator in numerous research projects funded by the NIH, focusing on areas like vascular stability, cancer immunotherapy, and vascular pathobiology. As part of my ongoing work, I am an active participant in projects aimed at reducing cancer health disparities and furthering our understanding of cancer progression.

Dr. Alain Algazi is a specialist in medical treatment – such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy – for patients with head and neck cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, thyroid cancers and salivary gland cancers. He leads UCSF's program in medical therapy for head and neck cancers, and chairs the head and neck cancer research committee.

The Barber lab is pioneering a molecular understanding of how intracellular pH dynamics regulates cell behaviors by bridging protein electrostatics and cell biology. Her work is distinguished in revealing the design principles of endogenous pH sensitive proteins regulating actin filament dynamics, cell adhesion, migration and differentiation, dysplasia, and gene expression.

The Barcellos-Hoff laboratory studies radiation carcinogenesis and biologically augmented radiotherapy. In studies funded by DOE and NASA, she describe the complexity of radiation effects on biological systems and identified new mechanisms underlying radiation carcinogenesis. Translational research based on aspects of these low dose radiation studies provided new insights into the role of transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) in genomic stability and the DNA damage response and a rationale for implementing TGFß inhibition during radiotherapy.

Dr. Jennifer R. Grandis received her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, and completed her internship from the same institution. Dr. Grandis completed both a residency and an Infectious Disease fellowship from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining UCSF, Dr. Grandis was the UPMC Endowed Chair in Head and Neck Cancer Surgical Research and Distinguished Professor of Otolaryngology and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Daniel Johnson, PhD, is Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) at the University of California, San Francisco. He obtained a bachelor of science in chemistry and a bachelor of arts in mathematics, both from North Park University in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Johnson earned his MA and PhD in molecular biology from Princeton University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Prior to joining UCSF OHNS Department in 2016, Dr.

The Knox Lab research program investigates the role of peripheral nerves in controlling epithelial organ development, regeneration, and chronic disease (autoimmune disease, aging, cancer). To explore these areas, we utilize a multiorgan approach that includes the salivary glands and cornea.