Professor, Eppley Institute
Courtesy Professor, Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health
College of Public Health
Department of Chemistry (UNL)
Education
D.Sc. - University of Milan, Milan, Italy, 1962
Recent Awards: UNMC Distinguished Scientist, 2007
Research Interests
Molecular mechanisms of tumor initiation by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and estrogens. Origin of human cancer at the molecular level.
This research includes: (a) synthesis, chemical properties and reactions of mechanistic interest of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons radical cations; (b) in vitro and in vivo binding studies of PAH and estrogens to DNA, determination and quantitation of the structure of the adducts; (c) correlation of ras-oncogene mutations and formation of DNA depurinating adducts; (d) chemical mechanisms of cytochrome P-450 catalysis; (e) comparative tumorigenicity studies in the two target organs, mouse skin, and rat mammary gland; (f) mechanism of tumor initiation by activated catechols of estrogens and synthetic nonsteroidal estrogens; (g) analysis of biomarkers for the etiology and early detection of breast, prostate and other human cancers; (h) chemoprevention of animal and human cancer.
Selected Publications
