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Investigator / Contact Person Nima Sharifi, M.D.

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Postdoctoral Fellow

The Sharifi laboratory focuses on mechanistic discovery to understand the metabolic and molecular mechanisms of androgen synthesis and androgen receptor gain-of-function that lead to prostate cancer resistance to hormonal therapy. The work is revealing fundamental endocrine mechanisms in both normal physiology and disease, including stress, and glucocorticoid resistance that will lead to broad applications to oncology and cancer physiology. Specific areas include:

• Metabolic and genetic changes required for hormone therapy resistance in prostate and breast cancers
• Discovery of entirely new mechanisms of endocrine physiology and regulation
• Clinical validation in patients and clinical trials using innovative approaches
• Animal models of advanced cancer for translational and therapeutic studies
• Identifying targets for the development of new pharmacologic therapies
• Drug discovery for new therapies

This position is ideal for an individual with a strong interest in rapid translation of basic mechanistic discoveries to the bedside as this is a principal goal of the Sharifi Laboratory. For example, they have shown that our discovery of a gain-of-function in a steroid-synthesizing enzyme is a predictive biomarker of poor outcomes after hormonal therapy (Hearn, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2016;17:1435-44; JAMA Oncol. 2018;4:558-62; JAMA Oncol. 2020;6(4):e196496). Dr. Sharifi’s group is currently evaluating this biomarker in an active clinical trial and are pursuing similar mechanisms and developing new treatment modalities based on these discoveries.

The position will provide a unique and multidisciplinary exposure to tumor metabolism, molecular oncology, drug development, and clinical trials.

The ideal candidate has a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, chemistry or molecular biology; has the appropriate expertise in discovery of molecular, biochemical or chemical mechanisms; and is highly driven. Outstanding verbal and communication skills are required. Interested candidates should send their CV and contact information for 3 references to: nimasharifi@miami.edu