Saravanakumar Marimuthu, PhD, is an assistant professor for the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Dr. Marimuthu's current research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatic cancer-associated cachexia, a complex metabolic syndrome affecting approximately 80% of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). His laboratory studies the GDF15/GFRAL signaling axis to define the mechanisms responsible for cancer-associated muscle and fat wasting and to develop precision therapeutic strategies, including antibody-based therapies, to reduce tumor burden, alleviate cachexia, improve treatment response and enhance clinical outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Another area of interest is chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in pancreatic cancer. His research examines the molecular and immune mechanisms responsible for cardiac injury during chemotherapy and evaluates cardioprotective strategies using clinically approved drugs to improve treatment safety, while maintaining anti-tumor efficacy.

Dr. Marimuthu is also working on creating targeted therapies for lung squamous cell carcinoma by examining the nuclear export protein exportin-1 as a therapeutic vulnerability. The laboratory evaluates Selinexor, an exportin-1 inhibitor, to suppress tumor growth, overcome drug resistance, and enhance chemotherapy response. The goal is to translate these outcomes into more effective treatments for patients with this aggressive lung cancer subtype.