Dr. Suzie Chen

Dr. Chen studies melanoma using a transgenic mouse model discovered by her group. They identified downstream signal targets in transformed melanocytes induced by the aberrant expression of a neuronal receptor, metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (GRM1) on the cell surface. The normal function of GRM1 is in learning and memory in the central nervous system. One of the consequences of deregulated GRM1 expression is cell transformation in vitro and tumor formation in vivo. Her group has been involved in translational research since 2008 with clinicians at Rutgers-Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ). Four clinical trials have been completed one is currently enrolling patients using inhibitors of glutamatergic signaling used previously for neuronal disorders. Dr. Chen is currently a Distinguished Professor and Chair in the Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. Dr. Chen is also the President-Elect for the Pan American Society for Pigment Cell Research (PASPCR).