Brain tumors exploit the same developmental programs that build the brain, using this adaptability to evade therapy and fuel recurrence.
As a Schmidt Science Fellow, Marilyn aims to build realistic 3D human brain tumor models – organoids – that mimic how these tumors grow and change over time. Using cutting-edge genome editing and single-cell lineage tracing, Marilyn will study how tumors respond to treatment to reveal hidden weaknesses, or “synthetic vulnerabilities,” that can be targeted with new drugs.
By better predicting how tumors evolve and resist therapy, Marilyn’s research could accelerate preclinical testing for brain tumors and unlock less invasive treatments, helping to advance the future of precision cancer care.
Marilyn will pivot from Developmental Biology to Cancer Biology