Megan Stemberger
Ph.D. Candidate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
megan.stemberger@som.umaryland.edu
Research
Megan studies the effects of exposure to elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and microtubule stabilization on the metastatic potential of breast tumor cells. ROS levels are highly elevated in the breast tumor microenvironment compared to normal tissue, and have been reported to promote cancer development, progression, and metastasis. Megan has shown that exposure to elevated ROS induces microtubule stabilization and impacts metastatic phenotypes across nontumorigenic, tumorigenic, and metastatic breast cancer cells (PMID: 37174666). To improve upon current anti-microtubule therapies, Megan aims to establish proof of concept that targeting specific subsets of post-translationally modified microtubules may be a more effective therapeutic strategy to reduce the metastatic potential of breast tumor cells.
Accolades
- UMB PhD Scholar of the Year (2023)
- Graduate Student Association (2021-Present)
- Student organizer for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology departmental seminar (2022)
- Nathan Schnaper Intern Program in Translational Cancer Research – Laboratory of Dr. Gerald Wilson (2019)
Education
- B.S. in Biology with a minor in Spanish
- Towson University Honors college
Hobbies
Megan enjoys playing with her two rescue dogs, running, and baking.
Martin Laboratory 