Steven Lewis
Education:
B.S. Yale University (2018)
Current Position:
5th Year MSTP
3rd Year Graduate Student
Advisor:
Camila Dos Santos, CSHL
Graduate Program:
Genetics
Research Interest:
Triple negative breast cancer patients currently lack options for targeted therapy and BRCA1 knockout models present an opportunity to study part of this patient population from a genetic perspective. I am interested in identifying unique factors of the BRCA1 tumor microenvironment and the interplay between inflammation and tumor progression. Broadly, my research interests lie in the relationship between the immune system and cancer and the contributions of genetic and epigenetic factors to better understand and hopefully treat cancer and autoimmunity. The dos Santos lab has identified epigenetic and cellular immunological mechanisms underpinning the protective effect of pregnancy with respect to breast cancer risk and I work on understanding how inflammation leads to an increased risk of tumor development in the BRCA1 model. Overall, the goal is to better understand breast cancer risk factors to improve prevention.
My previous research includes in vivo studies of red blood cell transfusion rejection in a mouse model, in vitro investigation of the role of a transcription factor family in macrophages during differentiation and activation to lipopolysaccharide, modeling of a rare genetic neurologic disorder using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, and in vitro and histological studies of the tryptophan pathway in psoriasis.
When not in lab or talking biology, I love to spend time with friends and family, bike, run, read, see live music and watch the Mets and Jets.
Publications:
Lewis, S.M., Callaway, M.K., dos Santos, C.O. Clinical applications of 3D normal and breast cancer organoids: a review of concepts and methods. Exp Biol Med. 2022. Nov 19. [review article]
Soldatenko, A., Hoyt, LR., Xu, L., Calabro, S., Lewis, S.M et al. Innate and Adaptive Immunity to Transfused Allogeneic RBCs in Mice Requires MyD88. J Immunol. 2022 Feb 15;208(4):991-997.
Lewis, S.M., Strano-Paul, L.A. A COVID Service-Learning Initiative: Emotional Support Calls for the Geriatric Population. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2020 Dec 31. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17003.
Lewis, S.M. Williams, A. Eisenbarth, S.C. Structure and function of the immune system in the spleen. Sci Immunol. 2019 Mar 1;4(33).
Guemez-Gamboa, A....Lewis, S.M....Gleeson, J.G. Loss of protocadherin-12 leads to Diencephalic- Mesencephalic Junction Dysplasia syndrome. Ann Neurol. 2018 Nov;84(5):638-647.
Harden, J.L., Lewis, S.M. et al. The tryptophan metabolism enzyme L-kynureninase is a novel inflammatory factor in psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016 Jun;137(6):1830-1840.
Harden, J.L., Lewis, S.M. et al. CARD14 expression in dermal endothelial cells in Psoriasis. PLoS One. 2014 Nov 4;9(11):e111255.
