Research | MiOTO

Our lab is dedicated to improving cancer care through innovative, patient-centered science. We focus on three main areas:

At-Home Cancer Testing for Better Access

We are developing easy-to-use urine tests that can be done at home to detect and monitor head and neck cancer. These tests are designed to help catch cancer earlier, track how patients respond to treatment, and spot any signs of recurrence sooner. By shifting more care out of the hospital and into the home, we hope to reduce health care costs and make cancer care more accessible—especially for people living in rural or underserved communities. We believe this approach can transform how patients receive care and improve outcomes for many.

Understanding How Genes Affect Cancer and Health

We study how people’s genetic backgrounds influence their risk of getting cancer and how well they respond to treatment. For example, we look at how specific genetic variants, like APOBEC-related SNPs, might shape tumor behavior or survival outcomes. To support this work, we’ve built advanced computer tools to analyze large genetic datasets. We’re also helping to create policies that guide how genetic information should be used in medicine, research, and even in the development of new technologies. Our goal is to make precision health more ethical, inclusive, and effective.

Creating Smarter Cancer Treatments

We are developing new ways to treat cancer by studying how cancer cells change and become resistant to therapies. In earlier work, our team helped bring PARP inhibitors—a powerful type of drug—into standard use for prostate cancer. Now, we’re testing new combinations of treatments in head and neck cancer and creating lab tests that use patient tissue samples to predict which treatments are most likely to work. This could help doctors choose the best therapy for each individual, faster and with better results.