Dr. Gershon conducts research on medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. With this grant he will focus on the pathogenesis of medulloblastoma and the development of a novel, biologically based antitumor therapy. He aims to identify developmental mechanisms that normally regulate in the growth of the cerebellum and to harness these mechanisms for anti-cancer therapy.
His new research builds on research funded by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in 2011, investigating the previously unknown connection among the immune system, brain growth, and the formation of brain tumors. Through this work, Dr. Gershon seeks to define new avenue of treatment that will offer medulloblatoma patients reduced toxicity and improved effectiveness.
Dr. Gershon, a member of UNC Neuroscience Center and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, will be mentored by Mohanish Deshmukh, PhD, professor of cell and developmental biology, also a member of UNC Neuroscience and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Centers.