Morgan Lab

Focused on improving standard radiation and chemoradiation therapies through the use of experimental therapeutics targeting the DNA damage response. In addition, Dr. Morgan’s research includes the use of tumor radiation sensitizers as a strategy to improve both local and systemic anti-tumor immune responses. Her research program prioritizes pre-clinical research with strong clinical/translational relevance with an emphasis on pancreatic cancer.

Cancer cannot be cured unless the primary tumor is cured. Systemic therapy alone can rarely cure gross disease but can significantly improve the efficacy of Radiation Therapy (RT) and eliminate microscopic disease. Therefore, as systemic therapies continue to improve, the need for effective local control becomes increasingly important. Although technical improvements in planning and delivery have decreased the toxicity of RT, RT dose escalation trials have, in general, failed to improve outcome.