Ruth A. Keri, PhD
Staff, Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic
Professor, Department of Molecular Medicine, Lerner College of Medicine
Associate Director for Basic Research, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
kerir@ccf.org
(216) 445-1323 (o)
For more than 20 years, my research has focused on the genomic and signaling mechanisms that control mammary gland development and cancer. I have significant expertise in the acquisition and use of gene expression profiling data to identify novel factors that may control the phenotypes of breast cancer cells. This has involved generating and using data from cell lines, genetically manipulated and patient-derived xenograft mouse models of breast cancer, as well as evaluation of publicly available human breast cancer genomic data. I have designed and used mouse models of disease throughout my research career, including assessing the efficacy of therapeutic agents in mammary cancer models. I also have significant experience assessing drug synergy, in vitro and in vivo. My laboratory extensively uses xenograft models of breast cancer. We also have expertise in the analysis of proliferation and apoptosis, migration and invasion, centrosome defects and genomic instability, epigenetics, transcription, as well as immunohistochemistry of mouse and human tissues. As a result, we have unrivaled capacity to examine the functional significance of pathways and drugs targeting those pathways in mammary development and cancer. Underscoring this ability, I co-lead the Breast Cancer Center of Excellence at the Lerner Research Institute at the Cleveland Clinic and am the Women’s Cancers Ribbon Facilitator for the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC).
Darcie Seachrist, PhD
Research Program Manager III
seachrd@ccf.org
216-445-1008 (o)
My career in basic science research began at the University of Akron, where I studied the link between stress, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. After a short stint working at a small biotech company researching the efficacy of a complement inhibitor in cardiac reperfusion injury, I returned to academia as a research assistant at CWRU. I began my tenure in the Pharmacology Department working for Dr. John Nilson, studying the role of pituitary development and tumorigenesis. I have since expanded my research focus to include breast development and cancer under the mentorship of Dr. Ruth Keri and have been a member of her lab for more than a cajillion years.
Kristen Weber Bonk
Lead Research Technologist
weberbk@ccf.org
216-445-1008 (o)
I was born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio. I attended Kent State and Cleveland State for my BS and graduated CWRU with a Master of Science. I began working with Dr. Keri when she was still a post doctoral student in the laboratory of Dr. John Nilson. I have worked for her since the establishment of her lab and I have never been allowed to leave. Throughout the years, I have worked on a number of projects that have honed my skills in a variety of mouse surgical techniques. This has led to my current position as manager of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Athymic Core Facility, as well as working in the Keri lab. I enjoy spending with my kids and family, knitting and playing roller derby as a member of the Burning River Roller Girls.
Taylor Baker
Graduate Student
bakert5@ccf.org
216-445-1008 (o)
I am a Pennsylvania native, born and raised in Pottstown. Long before college, my family and I knew I was a wet-lab biologist in training. As a toddler, I was always playing with the frogs down by my parents' pond and asking how so many creatures of different shapes and sizes exist and manage to live in the same space. I attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA for my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. There, I studied the molecular mechanisms of the cGAS pathway that promote the production of interferons with the activation of the innate immune system. I am thrilled to join Dr. Ruth Keri's laboratory so I can begin investigating the intricacies of breast cancer development, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.
Mary Vincent
Graduate Student
vincenm3@ccf.org
216-445-1008 (o)
Hi! My name is Mary Vincent and I am a Cleveland native, and currently live in the suburbs. I credit my introduction to science to my upbringing, as it was a norm in my family for us to go see public lectures given at local colleges. My brother found a passion for the stars and galaxies beyond, where I found my wonder in the worlds that can be unveiled by a microscope. I first began my adventure at Miami University in the lab of Dr. Eileen Bridge, where we used Adenovirus as a model system to study the DNA damage response. After graduation, I left with a BS in microbiology and continued my education with a clinical year with the Cleveland School of Medical Laboratory Science, where I obtained ASCP certification and a BS in Medical Laboratory Science. For the next two years I worked in the Clinical Microbiology department here at the Cleveland Clinic, where I helped identify pathogens in patients specimens and provided clinicians with data regarding potential antibiotic regimens. Having been both in the research and clinical worlds, I then joined the Molecular Medicine PhD program. In the Keri lab, I aim to continue my career with translationally focused research and find the middle ground between both of these worlds where we challenge the limit of what we know and bring those discoveries to improve patient outcomes.
Rebecca Epp
Biomedical Scientist Training Program Student
I grew up in Dallas, Texas. I attended Hillsdale College where I earned my B.S. In Biochemistry. During my time in college, I completed a research internship at the Mayo Clinic, where I identified genes that are preferentially essential in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. This research experience cemented my interest in breast cancer research. After being accepted into Case Western School of Medicine, I joined Dr. Keri's lab. I am dedicated to understanding molecular mechanisms that drive breast cancer, and hope that this work will one day improve the lives of breast cancer patients. When I am not at the bench, I enjoy hiking, reading, and doing puzzles.
Emily Roundtree
ACS Post-Bacc program student
roundte@ccf.org
216-445-1008 (o)
Chicago-native turned Ohioan! After receiving a BA in Biology from Case Western Reserve University, I crossed the street to the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center to begin my journey as an American Cancer Society CICRT Post-Baccalaureate research scholar. Between conducting research in the Keri Lab and taking graduate courses at CWRU, I volunteer at CCF Taussig Cancer Center and shadow physicians of varying specialities. Upon completion of the ACS Post-Bacc program, I hope to matriculate into an MSTP or MD/PhD program and continue to work towards becoming a physician-scientist.
