Lauren Wheeler

• CDT Doctoral Researcher (Aligned) Supervisor: Dr Ute Jungwirth
• Email: l.wheeler4@newcastle.ac.uk
• Project title: Novel strategies to address intrinsic and acquired MAPK inhibitor resistance in mutant KRAS NSCLC

Institution: Newcastle University

Project summary: Using NSCLC cell lines and patient-derived organoids (PDOs) to investigate the mechanistic roles of MARK family members in KRAS lung cancer and to define the therapeutic potential of targeting MARKs alone or in combination with MAPK inhibitors. Characterising patient samples pre-and post-KRAS inhibitor treatment to validate YAP-mediated resistance and identify alternative clinical resistance mechanisms.