Snapshot: Research Associate Emi Casas

Position: Research Associate, laboratory of Brunie Felding, Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), California campus

Research: Casas and the Felding lab are investigating how changes in gene expression in breast cancer cells modify their metabolism to promote survival and spread of the disease. The team’s aim is to explore therapies directed at normalizing cancer cell metabolism to inhibit disease progression as well as lengthen and improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients.

Background: Casas was born and raised in San Diego, earning a PhD in biomedical sciences at the University of California, San Diego, where she first began studying breast cancer metastasis. She plans a career investigating how changes in metaboism promote the spread of cancer with the aim of introducing effective new therapies.

Awards: As a graduate student, Casas was awarded a Howard Hughes Med-into-Grad Fellowship, which enabled her to shadow physicians in a clinical environment, awakening a strong interest in translational research.

Arrived at TSRI: August 2011

Thoughts on TSRI: Casas appreciates the institute’s highly collaborative and integrative environment, “both essential components for great science,” she says. “I was also impressed with the number of high-quality resources offered to graduate students and postdocs to encourage career growth. The Society of Fellows could not carry out its mission to enhance the social, academic and professional lives of training scientists were it not for the unwavering support of staff here at TSRI.”

Professional and Volunteer Groups: Casas currently serves as president of the Society of Fellows and plans to focus attention on building strong relationships among postdocs at TSRI and with neighboring institutions to facilitate collaboration, networking and social exchange.

Extracurricular Activities: Coming from a musical family, Casas enjoys singing and playing piano and is learning the guitar. An avid traveler, she also loves learning about other cultures.

Send comments to: press[at]scripps.edu