Michael Hollingsworth, Ph.D.
Chair of External Advisory Committee
Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and Director, Pancreatic Cancer SPORE Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center 

The general subject of research in Dr. Hollingsworth’s laboratory is on pancreatic cancer and other diseases of the pancreas, primarily pancreatitis. He uses modern techniques of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and immunology to develop a comprehensive program of investigation into the biology of normal and diseased pancreatic ductal epithelial cells.  

Tatiana Bronich, Ph.D.
Director, Nebraska COBRE Center for Nanomedicine
University of Nebraska Medical Center 

Dr. Bronich’s research interests are in self-assembling polymeric materials and applications of these materials in medicine, especially complexes formed between block ionomers and oppositely charged polymers and low molecular weight amphiphilic molecules.  Recent work includes the application of these amphiphilic block copolymers and block ionomer complexes in drug delivery to treat cancer, and the development of the polycation-DNA complexes for gene delivery.   

Dr. Igor Roninson, Ph.D.
Director, COBRE Center for Targeted Therapeutics
South Carolina College of Pharmacy 

The main research topic of Dr. Robinson’s laboratory is the role of  CDK8/19 kinase in transcriptional reprogramming in the context of cancer, aging-associated diseases, inflammatory and viral diseases. CDK8 and CDK19 are closely related members of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) family that, unlike some other CDKs, do not regulate cell cycle progression. Instead, CDK8 and CDK19 are alternative components of the regulatory module of the transcriptional Mediator complex, where they interact with their regulatory subunit Cyclin C and the proteins MED12 and MED13.  

Sudipta Seal,Ph.D.
Director, Nanoscience, and Technology Center
University of Central Florida 

Dr. Seal’s research includes:  regenerative oxide nanoparticles for nanobiotechnology and antioxidants, nanooxides for energy and optical applications - in general catalysis, nanoparticles for soot reduction, plasma nanomanufacturing nanoceramic coatings and components for high temperature applications, nano - MEMS integration of gas sensors, nanomaterials for SOFC, nanoparticles for methanol oxidation, surface modification of materials, nanosteels and fundamental property investigation of oxides at Micro to Nano Scale.  

Randal Brand, MD
Translational Science Liaison for the COBRE External Advisory Board
Gastroenterologist and Professor of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Randall Brand, MD, is a gastroenterologist and Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is the academic director for the GI Division at UPMC Shadyside Hospital.  Dr. Brand also directs the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s GI Malignancy Early Detection, Diagnosis and Prevention Program and leads UPMC’s Hereditary GI Tumor Clinic. 

Dr. Brand’s clinical interests include the early detection of pancreatic cancer, evaluating and caring for family members from pancreatic cancer-prone families, hereditary GI cancers, and evaluation of pancreatic cystic lesions.  He participates in multiple NCI-, NIH- and DoD-funded research projects focused on the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.