Name:  Aksana Vasilyeva

Email address: avasilye@wfubmc.edu

Education: 2005 BS Biochemistry, College of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ

Advisor/Lab: Dr. Karin D. Scarpinato

Current Research: The main focus of research in our lab is mismatch repair proteins in cancer.  I am specifically working with MLH1 in breast cancer and PMS2 in prostate cancer.  We are looking at down-regulation of MLH1 in breast cancer.  We are investigating ways to restore MLH1 expression and prevent disease progression and metastasis.  PMS2 has been shown to be over-expressed in prostate cancer.  We are exploring the consequences and mechanisms of this over-expression. 

Publications:  None.

Honors and Awards:  Drexel Heritage Award 2005.

Hobbies – Other:  In my free time, I am a member of Bellissimas String Quartet, a member of a Church Choir, and a member of a Middle-Eastern dance troupe.  I also greatly enjoy reading non-scientific literature.