Our Faculty

Dr. Regina Santella's research involves the use of biomarkers for the detection of human exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogens in molecular epidemiology studies to identify causative factors, susceptible populations, and preventive interventions. Her work has allowed the determination of exposure to carcinogens by the measurement of their binding to DNA with highly specific and sensitive immunoassays using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that her laboratory has developed. These studies have demonstrated higher levels of DNA damage in those with environmental or occupational exposures and in subjects with breast, lung, and liver cancer compared to controls. The role of genetic susceptibility in cancer risk is also being investigated. Current studies seek to understand the role of environmental/lifestyle factors on epigenetic changes and how they impact cancer risk as well as whether epigenetic changes in DNA methylation and microRNAs can be used for early diagnosis of cancer.   View Faculty CV here (PDF).

PhD, City University of New York, 1976

MS, University of Massachusetts, 1971

BS, Brooklyn College, 1969

University Affiliations:

• Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan

Additional Affiliations:

• Member, American Association for Cancer Research
• Member, Society of Toxicology
• Member, American Chemical Society
• Member, Environmental Mutagen Society
• Member, Sigma Xi
• Member, Harvey Society

Biological Markers of Aflatoxin Exposure
Dr. Santella is working on a case-control study of hepatocellular cancer nested in a cancer screening cohort of 25,000 subjects. Biomarkers of exposure to environmental carcinogens, hepatitis virus infection, and epigenetic changes are being measured.

Countries: Taiwan