Skip to main content

Giselle Yvette López

Associate Professor in Pathology
Pathology
Box 3712 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
207M Green Zone, Duke South, DUMC Box 3712, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


I am a physician scientist with a clinical focus on neuropathology, and a research interest in brain tumors. Originally from Maryland, I completed my undergraduate training at the University of Maryland, completing degrees in Physiology and Neurobiology as well as Spanish Language and Literature. I subsequently came to Duke for my MD and PhD, and discovered a passion for brain tumor research, and quickly realized that this was my life's calling. Clinically, I specialize in neuropathology. While I have active projects and collaborations on many kinds of brain tumors, my lab's primary focus is oligodendroglioma, a kind of infiltrative brain tumor that impacts adults. Our goal is to identify new ways to treat these tumors and improve the lives of patients with oligodendrogliomas and other kinds of brain tumors. By blending together computational approaches with wet lab approaches, we use the strengths inherent in different research modalities to excel in identifying unexplored pathways and thinking outside the box to identify new ways to target this brain tumor.  We do this through research in an inclusive, multidisciplinary lab environment that strives for excellence in research while creating well-rounded, thriving scientists ready for the next step in their careers.

Research Opportunities
We currently have opportunities in the laboratory for one-year projects (ideal for post-bac fellows or third year med student research experiences). These projects are centered on identifying and testing novel therapeutic approaches for oligodendroglioma using in vitro and in vivo model systems. Please reach out if you are interested and would like to hear more about my mentoring philosophy, lab culture, and opportunities to be at the cutting edge of science.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in Pathology · 2024 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Assistant Professor in Neurosurgery · 2020 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2019 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published February 27, 2025
Dr. Giselle López Invited to Present on the Role of Pathologists in Big Data Studies
Published March 28, 2024
Dr. Giselle López Accepted to SNO Future Leaders Development Program
Published October 19, 2023
Dr. López Receives Spark Award from AWIS

View All News

Recent Publications


A surgical window of opportunity trial evaluating the effect of the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab on tumoral MHC-I expression and CD8+ infiltration in glioma.

Journal Article Sci Rep · October 23, 2025 Many cancers evade immunosurveillance by downregulating surface major histocompatibility class (MHC)-I. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) promotes MHC-I degradation and is elevated in glioma. Evolocumab is a clinically approved PCSK9 in ... Full text Link to item Cite
View All Publications

Recent Grants


McCain/Bayh Glioblastoma Consortium

Clinical TrialCo Investigator · Awarded by Department of Defense · 2025 - 2029

Innate Antiviral Signals for Cancer Immunotherapy

ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2018 - 2028

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University, School of Medicine · 2014 MD./PhD.
University of Maryland, College Park · 2005 B.A.
University of Maryland, College Park · 2005 B.S.