Rolando Perez-Lorenzo, Ph.D.

SUMMARY

· 20+ years of experience in the biomedical sciences field. Strong Background in skin biology, and skin cancer research; preclinical models.

· Goal- and detail-oriented, with excellent communication skills, and strong analytical and presentation abilities.

· Highly organized, able to work independently and as a part of a team; a problem-solver who effectively prioritizes to accomplish tasks and projects with creativity and in a timely manner.

· Author of scientific papers in internationally recognized peer reviewed journals.

PROFESIONAL EXPERIENCE

Associate Research Scientist, 2012-

Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York NY.

I study the mechanisms of skin tumor development, with the ultimate goal of finding novel therapeutic targets and strategies. I recently described, that the lipid phosphatase INPP4B has a tumor suppressor effect in melanoma, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.

Postdoctoral Research Scientist, 2010-2012.

Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York NY

I studied combination therapies for melanoma to improve the efficacy of the current options. We demonstrated in preclinical models, that the use of phenphormin combined with BRaf inhibitors increases the therapeutic efficacy in this cancer. Also, we showed evidence for the potential of a therapy with MEK inhibitors for GAB2/NRas melanomas, for which there is no effective therapy.

Postdoctoral Research Scholar, 2005-2010.

Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA

Using a skin model with genetic downregulation and pharmacological inhibition of TGFb1 I demonstrated that this molecule is both a tumor promoter and a tumor suppressor in a context dependent manner. We demonstrated a potential risk of the therapeutic use of TGFb1 inhibitors in cancer and other diseases linked to TGFb1 overexpression is linked to disease phenotype.

Professor, 1995-2009.

University of Campeche, Mexico

I studied the skin chronic disease psoriasis. I described the presence of proteins in the skin lesions of psoriatic patients recognized by autoantibodies that react with proteins of S. pyogenes. I reported differential immunological responses to different streptococcal antigens in psoriatic patients, contributing to the understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease.

EDUCATION

· Ph.D. Clinical Biology, 2000.National School of Biological Sciences, IPN, Mexico.

Dissertation:Cellular response to heat shock proteins from Streptococcus pyogenesin psoriasis

· Masters in Sciences in Immunology, 1995.National School of Biological Sciences, IPN, Mexico.

Dissertation:Cross reactivity between skin antigens and Streptococcus pyogenes as trigger for autoimmunity in guttate psoriasis.

· B.Sc. Clinical chemistry, 1991.University of Veracruz, Mexico.

Dissertation: A1 and B apolipoproteins in non-hypercholesterolemic obese patients.

SKILLS

· Proficiency with scientific search engines and the creation of literature collections.

· Very good knowledge of word, Excel, PowerPoint, Prism GraphPad, amongst others.

· Languages: Spanish (native speaker), English: Excellent written and oral communication.

PUBLICATIONS

· Pérez-Lorenzo, R., Gill, K.Z., Shen, C-H., et al. 2014. A tumor suppressor function for the lipid phosphatase INPP4B in melanocytic neoplasms. J Invest Dermatol, 134:1359-6810.

· Yuan, P., Ito, K., Pérez-Lorenzo, R., et al. 2013. Phenformin enhances the therapeutic benefit of BRAFV600E inhibition in melanoma. Proc Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 110:18226-31

· Shen, C-H., Yuan, P., Pérez-Lorenzo, R., et al. 2013. Phosphorylation of BRAF by AMPK impairs BRAF-KSR1 association and cell proliferation. Mol Cell, 52:161-72

· Yang, Y., Wu, J., Demir, A., et al. 2013. GAB2 induces tumor angiogenesis in NRAS-driven melanoma. Oncogene, 32:3627-37.

· Pérez-Lorenzo, R., Zheng, B. 2012. Targeted inhibition of BRAF kinase: opportunities and challenges for therapeutics in melanoma. Biosci Rep, 32: 25-33.

· Pérez-Lorenzo, R.,Mordasky Markell, L., Hogan, K.A., et al. 2010. Transforming Growth Factor β1 Enhances Tumor Promotion in Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis, 31:116-23.

· Markell, L.M., Pérez-Lorenzo, R., Masiuk K.E., et al. 2010. Use of TGFβ1 Type Receptor Inhibitor in Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis Reveals a Dual Role for TGFβ1 Signaling in Tumor Promotion and Progression. Carcinogenesis, 31: 2127-35

· Mohammed, J., Ryscavage, A., Pérez-Lorenzo, R., et al. 2010. TGFβ1-induced Inflammation in Premalignant Epidermal Squamous Lesions Requires IL-17. J Invest Dermatol, 130: 2295-303.

· Glick, A., Pérez-Lorenzo, R., Mohammed, J. 2008. Context dependent regulation of cutaneous immunological responses by TGFβ1 and its role in skin carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis, 29: 9-14.

· Darwiche, N., Ryscavage, A., Pérez-Lorenzo, R., et al. 2007. Expression profile of skin papillomas with high cancer risk displays a unique genetic signature that clusters with squamous cell carcinomas and predicts risk for malignant conversion. Oncogen