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About
About

Located at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA, the Department of Molecular, Cell & Cancer Biology is a collaborative group dedicated to translating fundamental discoveries in biomedical research into novel therapeutic strategies for cancer and other diseases.
Faculty
Faculty

Our faculty make innovative, high-impact discoveries in biomedical research in molecular, cell and cancer biology.
Research
Research

Explore how our bold discoveries are redefining our understanding of how diseases start and can be treated.
Bioinformatics Core
Bioinformatics Core

The MCCB Bioinformatics Core is a unique in-house resource that provides cutting-edge bioinformatics and biostatistics support to researchers in the department.
Education
Education

MCCB is dedicated to fostering innovation and training the next generation of scientists. Learn more about how MCCB equips students and early-career researchers with the skills and knowledge to drive scientific discovery.
- Postdoctoral Training
  
  Postdoctoral Training
  
  Educational Enrichment Activities
  
  Professional Development & Support
  
  MCCB Postdoc Achievements
- Graduate Training
  
  Graduate Programs
  
  Educational Enrichment Activities
  
  Professional Development & Support
  
  Current MCCB Students
  
  MCCB Student Achievements
  
  Michael R. Green, MD, PhD, Award in Graduate Research
  
  MCCB Faculty Awards in Education
Community & Culture
Community & Culture

MCCB values a supportive workplace environment where everyone feels valued and has fair access to resources and opportunities. Learn more about how we foster a positive culture that supports and empowers all members of the department to succeed.
Support Us
Support Us

Learn more about how you can support MCCB’s fundraising initiatives to advance research at UMass Chan.
- Michael R. Green, MD, PhD, Award in Graduate Research
- UMass Chan Cancer Research Team
MCCB SharePoint

Additional Resources

Dr. Oomen joined MCCB on September 1. Her research program investigates mammalian genome regulation of and by transposable elements.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. OOMEN'S RESEARCH
The award recognizes outstanding graduate students at UMass Chan whose accomplishments, perseverance and commitment to research excellence have distinguished them from their peers.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWARDEES
Ruscetti is one of 13 early-career scientists recognized for groundbreaking, visionary research accelerating progress toward new cancer treatments and cures.

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The award recognizes Gregory as one of eight exceptional scientists whose innovative research is advancing the field of ovarian cancer.

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We're hiring! View open job opportunities in MCCB.

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Conducting collaborative, cutting-edge research
to unravel molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms of disease and translate our discoveries into innovative therapeutic strategies

Research

Explore how our bold discoveries are redefining our understanding of how diseases start and can be treated.

Education

Find out how MCCB equips students and early-career researchers with the skills and knowledge to drive scientific discovery.

Support

Learn more about how you can support MCCB’s fundraising initiatives to advance research at UMass Chan.

MCCB Recognitions & Achievements

Grants, Honors & Awards

Getting Results…

MD-PhD Student Receives NCI Fellowship to Study Ferroptosis Resistance in Metastasis

Boris Dimitrov is investigating how a small population of triple-negative breast cancer cells evades iron-dependent cell death to initiate metastasis.

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More Achievements

Recent Publications

Zhou et al. Senolytic interventions enhznce the anti-metastatic activity of chemotherapy in prostate cancer. Cancer Res, 2026. Article | Ruscetti Lab
Whalen et al. Detection of single-stranded DNA gaps reveals a functional biomarker of therapeutic response. Cancer Res, 2026. Article | Cantor Lab
Lero et al. Insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) confers resistance to PI3K pathway inhibition in PIK3CA mutant breast cancer. J Biol Chem, 2026. Article | Shaw Lab
Velentzas et al. The pyruvate transporter hermes resultes autophagy and health by modulting ROS production. Cell Rep, 2026. Article | Baehrecke Lab
Parikh et al. Multiplexed cytokine and antigen mRNA administration generates durable anti-tumor immunity against pancreatic cancer. Nat Commun, 2026. Article | Ruscetti Lab

More Publications...

Highlights from UMass Chan News

Getting Results…

Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences celebrates 91 students during Qualifying Exam Recognition Ceremony

The Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences recognized 91 UMass Chan students who completed their qualifying exam during the 2025-2026 academic year during a Sept. 16 ceremony.

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