Overview
The Counter lab studies the molecular mechanisms that underly to the onset of human cancers, with the goal to prevent cancer initiation or progression. The lab uses ultra-senstitive sequencing platforms and proteomic-coupled CRISPR/Cas9 screens to elucidate the factors that mold the mutational patterns selected to initiate the process of tumorigenesis. See https://counter.labs.duke.edu/ for further details.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
George Barth Geller Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology
·
2021 - Present
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology
·
2011 - Present
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Assistant Professor in Radiation Oncology
·
2020 - Present
Radiation Oncology,
Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Cell Biology
·
2022 - Present
Cell Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2002 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
KRASG12R-Mutant Pancreatic Cancer Features Limited ERK/MAPK Transcriptional Activity and a Distinctive Tumor Microenvironment.
Journal Article Cancer Res · January 20, 2026 Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) harboring KRASG12R mutations have increased overall survival relative to patients with KRASG12D/V mutations. To investigate the mechanisms underlying this differential outcome, we developed a geneticall ... Full text Link to item CiteCDK8 Inhibition Releases the Muscle Differentiation Block in Fusion-driven Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Preprint · July 18, 2025 Full text Link to item CiteThe essential clathrin adapter protein complex-2 is tumor suppressive specifically in vivo.
Journal Article Nat Commun · March 6, 2025 The microenvironment is a rich source of new cancer targets. We thus used a targeted single-guide RNA library to screen a panel of human pancreatic cancer lines for genes uniquely affecting tumorigenesis. Here we show inactivation of the Adapter Protein co ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Identification and targeting of essential regions of driver fusion oncoproteins in rhabdomyosarcoma
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by V Foundation for Cancer Research · 2025 - 2030Pharmacological Sciences Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Duke Research Training Program in Surgical Oncology
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2024 - 2029View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
McMaster University (Canada) ·
1996
Ph.D.
McMaster University (Canada) ·
1990
B.S.