Inna Smalley

With over 12 years of experience studying melanoma biology, my research has largely focused on developing novel therapeutic rationales for treating BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanoma, with an emphasis on the role of the tumor microenvironment in drug resistance. My previous work was dedicated to delineating the mechanisms of drug resistance in BRAF-mutant melanoma that rely on extracellular matrix remodeling and fibroblast activation. My most recent efforts are focused on exploring how intra-tumoral heterogeneity facilitates tumor growth, drug resistance and dissemination, with a special focus on single cell analysis techniques and metabolism-associated signaling. I would like to elucidate what drives tumor cells to certain metastatic sites, including the brain and leptomeninges, as well as the mechanism supporting their survival in different microenvironments. I believe that the future treatment of melanoma lies in personalized, rational drug combinations that will turn a terminal disease into a manageable chronic illness. My career goal is to develop efficacious treatment strategies for patients with CNS metastasis and late-stage disease.