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Dr. Suzanne Ponik is an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializing in Cell Regenerative Biology within the School of Medicine and Public Health. Her research primarily focuses on breast cancer, particularly the molecular mechanisms associated with breast density and its role in cancer risk. Dr. Ponik's lab has developed model systems to elucidate how increased breast density correlates with a heightened risk of developing breast carcinomas. This work identifies significant extracellular matrix (ECM) alterations characterized by a Tumor Associated Collagen Signature (TACS), offering insights into tumor progression. Her investigations also explore the immunosuppressive signaling within collagen-dense tumor microenvironments, demonstrating how cancer-associated fibroblasts regulate immune responses that enhance tumor growth. Dr. Ponik aims to identify collagen density as a potential biomarker for successful immune modulation therapies in breast cancer.
Department: Department of Computer Sciences