Larner College of Medicine

Division of Redox Biology and Pathology

The overarching vision for our program is to enhance our understanding of oxidative processes in chronic diseases. We aim to develop new diagnostic tools to assess oxidative disruptions, and to design redox based drugs that can be used in the treatment of chronic diseases.

We are training the next generation of scientists working in this area of biochemistry and medicine who can contribute to society and achieve success in their chosen career paths.
 

Our Faculty

Faculty Directory
Microscope Image of mouse lungs with cancer tumors indicated in red Microscopic image of an individual cell with the mitochondria indicated in green Microscopic image of live lung cell with tumors indicated in red

Our Focus

The Redox Biology and Pathology (RBP) Program studies the role of reactive oxygen species in physiology and disease, develops therapies targeting redox pathways, and creates tools for redox research. Our areas of focus are Lung Fibrosis, Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Malignant Mesothelioma.

Teamwork

Training

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Our Redox Biology and Pathology labs provide active training environments for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers. Faculty are dedicated mentors and contribute to biomedical education across multiple programs within the College and broader university. 

Our graduate student trainees have been awarded:

  • Megan Tarte- Best Poster and Research Achievement Award: International Conference on Stem Cell Therapies, bioengineering in lung diseases 2025
  • Megan Tarte and Victoria Gibson- Travel awards to the Society for Redox Biology and Medicine Conference 2025
  • Emily Joyce- Travel award from the Society for Redox Biology and Medicine to attend the 2025 Society for Free Radical Research International Conference in Galway, Ireland
  • Dr. Nathaniel Shannon, Post Doc- 2024 Young Investigator Award from the Society for Redox Biology and Medicine 
     

Support

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Research in the Redox Biology and Pathology program is supported by a combination of federal grants, foundation funding, and industry partnerships. Current and past sponsors include the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense, American Lung Association (ALA), Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, and American Asthma Foundation. Several investigators also engage in biotech collaborations focused on intellectual property, patent development, and commercial translation. We have funding from:

  • 3 R01 grants
  • RS Oncology
  • 2 R21 grants
  • 1 R03 grant
  • 2 ALA grants
  • Parker B Francos Fellowship for Reem Aboushousha

Collaboration

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Redox Biology and Pathology researchers work closely with UVM Innovations and external sponsors to advance scientific discoveries with clinical and commercial potential.

Our faculty collaborations:

  • Reviewer and Chair on NIH and Foundation Grant review panels
  • Albert can der Vliet is president elect of the Society for Redox Biology and Medicine
  • Translational and drug development efforts
  • 9 patents
  • Phase 2 clinical trial in malignant mesothelioma treatment
  • Brian Cunniff is an Honorary Visiting Fellow in the Department of Genetics, Genomics, and Cancer Sciences at the University of Leicester, UK. Dr. Cunniff is also a Council member elect for the Society for Redox Biology and Medicine
A person wearing a headscarf and gloves is working at a laboratory bench with scientific equipment, including pipettes, a centrifuge, and various containers

Fundamental Molecular Mechanisms, Translational Application

The Redox Biology and Pathology program is based in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Our collaborative group of investigators studies how redox processes influence human health and disease, with research spanning fundamental molecular mechanisms to translational application.