Ratna K Vadlamudi, PhD

Dr. Vadlamudi joined our faculty in January 2006. In 1994, he graduated with a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. In 1997, he finished his post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Dana Farber Cancer Institute. He has held academic positions as Assistant and Associate Professor at the MD Anderson Cancer Center's Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology and Associate Professor at the Stanley S. Cancer Center/Department of Genetics in New Orleans. In September 2010, Dr. Vadlamudi was granted tenure as a professor, and he currently holds the Tom C. and Patricia H. Frost Endowed Chair for Cancer Research and Education. He also leads the Mays Cancer Center's cancer development program and is the MD, PhD program's Associate Program Director. For his remarkable contributions to the field of cancer molecular biology, he was chosen as an AAAS Fellow in 2015. His current research focuses on the characterization of novel oncogenes and tumor suppressors, endocrine therapy resistance, the development of novel cancer therapeutics for breast, ovarian, endometrial, and gynecological malignancies, as well as estrogen signaling in these diseases. His work aims to use laboratory-based discoveries to create new therapies for the treatment of women's cancers. His research is funded by grants from the Department of Defense, the National Cancer Institute, and the VA Merit Award. Dr. Vadlamudi serves as the Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

• Professional Background

  Education

  • 1994 - Doctor of Philosophy - Molecular Biology - University of Wyoming
  • 1991 - Master of Science - Food Science/Nutrition - University of Wyoming

  Training

  • 2006 - Post Doctoral Training - Teaching Excellence - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1999 - Post Doctoral Training - Cancer Biology - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center at San Antonio
  • 1997 - Post Doctoral Training - Molecular Biology - Harvard Medical School

  Highlights

  - 2003, First NIH ROl grant award

  - 2009, Susan G. Kernen Foundation Individual Investigator grant award

  - 2010, AACR MSI Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research award

  - 2015, UTHSCSA/CTRC Discovery of the Year

  - 2015, AAAS Fellow-elected for distinguished contributions to the field of molecular biology of cancer

  - 2017, Co-Leader, COP Program, NCI designated cancer Center, Mays Cancer Center (MD Anderson)

  Appointments

  • 2017 - Co-Leader, CDP Program - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2010 - Professor - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2006 - 2010 - Associate Professor - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2005 - 2006 - Faculty Member - Lousiana State University Health Science Center
  • 2004 - 2005 - Associate Professor - Lousiana State University Health Science Center
  • 2003 - 2004 - Associate Professor - University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center at Houston
  • 2000 - 2003 - Assistant Professor - University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center at Houston
  • 1999 - 2003 - Faculty Associate - Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UT Houston
  • 1999 - 2000 - Assistant Professor - University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center at Houston

• Research & Grants

  Grants

  Title: Therapeutic agents targeting nuclear receptor signaling in distinct subtypes of breast cancer | 2017-2022 | Total Costs: $2,840,895

  Title: Targeted inhibition of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF}/ LIFR axis for the treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer | 2018-2021 | Total Costs: $761,298

  Title: miRNAs: Safe and effective therapeutic adjuvants for treating drug resistant TNBC | 2015-2020 | Total Costs: $1,573,780