This summer we are delighted to have three new investigators join our team. Each will be focused on a different aspect of NF research.
 Yuan Pan, PhD |
Yuan Pan, PhD completed her graduate studies in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Iowa. Dr. Pan is focused on understanding how non-cancerous cells in brain cancers, called microglia, function to increase tumor growth. Working with Dr. Peter Sims at Columbia University, she is also applying advanced genetic methods to develop future treatments for NF1 brain tumors, based on the concept that these cancers work as complex ecological systems (ecosystems). |
 Kate Schwetye, MD, PhD |
Katherine Schwetye, MD, PhD obtained her medical and graduate degrees at Washington University prior to completing her clinical fellowship in Neuropathology. Dr. Schwetye is interested in defining the role of stem cells in brain tumor biology. Specifically, she would like to better understand where NF1 brain tumors (gliomas) come from as well as how best to block their growth by impairing the function of the stem cells within these cancers. |
 Stephanie Morris, MD |
Stephanie Morris, MD is completing her training in Pediatric Neurology at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University. She was recently awarded a position on the Neurological Sciences Academic Development Award (NSADA) training grant to allow her to study autism in children with NF1. Working with Dr. John Constantino in Pediatric Psychiatry and Dr. David Gutmann in Neurology, she hopes to more completely characterize the autistic-like behaviors in children with NF1 as a first step towards identifying those individuals most at risk for these problems. |