Priyanka S. Rana
UAB Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, University of Pune, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Fergusson College
0000-0001-5774-4383
About
I am a Senior Scientist at University of Alabama at Birmingham, Radiation Oncology Department, working to launch my career as an independent faculty. Over the past nine years, I have been engaged in research focused on cell biology and signaling pathways. I started my laboratory research in the field of physiology during my doctoral (PhD) studies at Kent State University, where I employed a multidisciplinary approach utilizing rigorous and quantitative techniques to understand ion, volume, and water behavior in apoptotic and necrotic systems. I opened new possibilities such as measuring cell or organelle protein content and quantifying intracellular ions by developing optical techniques. The experimental techniques and approaches developed in these projects were surpassed to investigate osmoregulation and signaling outside apoptosis during my postdoctoral research at the MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve. During this time, I started my research in the field of cancer biology, where I explored novel signaling pathways and the role of four oncogenes: WAVE2, WAVE3, Kindlin2, and Yb1 in triple-negative breast cancer. My research accomplishments supported the notion that the genes upregulating tumor formation could serve as potential therapeutic targets to reduce the invasive nature of TNBC. Through this, I gained expertise in basic and translational tumor cell biology and oncogenic signaling pathways.
After moving to the Case Western Reserve University, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals, I sought to further my training as a Research Associate in the field of basic and translational immunotherapy to identify and validate actionable drug targets for therapeutic intervention in hematologic malignancies, especially in Multiple Myeloma. The proteasome is a major drug target for blood cancers, but the therapeutic effect is overcome in some cases by the emergence of drug resistance. Now, as a Senior Research Associate, I have advanced my scientific and technical skills and identified a novel immunoproteasome activator that upregulates global MHC class I antigen presentation and enhances the cytotoxic T cell anti-myeloma immunity with improved function, persistence, and potency. My prior research expertise in cell biology, physiology, cancer biology, and basic and translational cellular immunotherapies provides an ideal foundation for my next step toward independence.
In my current role in the Division of Radiation Oncology, I am focusing on radiosensitizing breast cancer cells by combining immune checkpoint inhibitors, CDK4/6 inhibition, and radiotherapy. This work aims to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of treatments for breast cancer, particularly in addressing resistance mechanisms and improving patient survival outcomes.
Employment
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UAB Medicine Sr. Research Scientist2025 - Present
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Case Western Reserve University Senior Research Associate2023 - Present
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Case Western Reserve University Research Associate2022 - 2023
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Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Postdoctoral Scholar2020 - 2022
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Kent State University Laboratory coordinator2018 - 2020
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Kent State University Graduate Teaching Assistant2015 - 2018
Education
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Kent State University PhD2015 - 2020
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University of Pune M.Sc.2012 - 2014
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Fergusson College M.Sc.2009 - 2012
Projects & Funding
Projects & funding information is unavailable.
Publications (144)
- Figure S1 from Immunoproteasome Activation Expands the MHC Class I Immunopeptidome, Unmasks Neoantigens, and Enhances T-cell Anti-Myeloma Activity Save
- Figure S2 from Immunoproteasome Activation Expands the MHC Class I Immunopeptidome, Unmasks Neoantigens, and Enhances T-cell Anti-Myeloma Activity Save
- Figure S3 from Immunoproteasome Activation Expands the MHC Class I Immunopeptidome, Unmasks Neoantigens, and Enhances T-cell Anti-Myeloma Activity Save
- Figure S4 from Immunoproteasome Activation Expands the MHC Class I Immunopeptidome, Unmasks Neoantigens, and Enhances T-cell Anti-Myeloma Activity Save
- Figure S5 from Immunoproteasome Activation Expands the MHC Class I Immunopeptidome, Unmasks Neoantigens, and Enhances T-cell Anti-Myeloma Activity Save
- Figure S6 from Immunoproteasome Activation Expands the MHC Class I Immunopeptidome, Unmasks Neoantigens, and Enhances T-cell Anti-Myeloma Activity Save
- Figure S7 from Immunoproteasome Activation Expands the MHC Class I Immunopeptidome, Unmasks Neoantigens, and Enhances T-cell Anti-Myeloma Activity Save
- Figure S8 from Immunoproteasome Activation Expands the MHC Class I Immunopeptidome, Unmasks Neoantigens, and Enhances T-cell Anti-Myeloma Activity Save
- Figure S9 from Immunoproteasome Activation Expands the MHC Class I Immunopeptidome, Unmasks Neoantigens, and Enhances T-cell Anti-Myeloma Activity Save
- Supp Figure Legends from Immunoproteasome Activation Expands the MHC Class I Immunopeptidome, Unmasks Neoantigens, and Enhances T-cell Anti-Myeloma Activity Save