Summary

The Li laboratory investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms of breast cancer initiation, progression and metastasis as well as cancer stem cells. Specifically, the Li lab studies how specific subsets of breast cells respond to the initiating oncogenes and eventually evolve into cancer. The molecular pathways that are examined by this lab include the Wnt-beta-catenin-LGR4, HER2/Neu, and JAK/STAT, and Bcl-xL signaling pathways. This lab also investigates the impact of pregnancy, obesity/diabetes, and antipsychotic drugs on breast cancer, and explores new approaches to breast cancer prevention. In addition, this group has recently begun to explore the involvement of immune cells in cancer initiation and invasion.

Job Duties

• Prepares and conducts laboratory research experiments.
• Conducts literature searches and summarizes information in an appropriate format for a particular study.
• Documents results of experiments. i.e. mice.
• Animal handling for research experiements
• Selects, evaluates and applies techniques used in routine research.
• Prepares figures and assists in writing related to experiments performed.
• Maintains general lab environment that includes but not limited to, equipment maintenance and repairs, organization, and cleanliness of the lab.
• Completes Goods Receipt via SRM/SAP
• Maintains lab notebooks (physical and/or digital), contributes to database maintenance, prepares reports, and supports development of presentations and publications.
• Collects, processes, ships, and maintains paperwork for biological specimens.
• Conducts testing procedures required by the study.
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• One year of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in basic science or a related field.
• Experience with animal husbandry is preferred. The laboratory’s work involves cell lines and state-of-the-art mouse models. 
• Prior experiences in tissue culture and basic molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, DNA purification, Western blot, … etc) are required.
• Preferred Knowledge about molecular biology, chemistry and cancer biology
• Selected skill sets, including chromatin immunoprecipitation-RNA sequencing, immunoblot, ex vivo culture, and immunoblot analyses, are preferred.