Skip to main content

Trudy G Oliver

Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Campus Box 3813, Durham, NC 27708
308 Research Drive, LSRC C138B, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


The Oliver Lab is focused on understanding the biology of under-studied subtypes of lung cancer, specifically squamous and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We investigate mechanisms of tumor initiation, progression, plasticity, and drug resistance to uncover vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically targeted. We capitalize on state-of-the-art mouse and patient-derived models to identify and test novel treatment strategies, with the goal of translating these findings to the clinic.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology · 2023 - Present Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2022 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published April 17, 2023
Trudy Oliver Tracks a Deadly, Shape-Shifting Tumor
Published October 25, 2022
A New Generation of Tools To Fight Cancer

View All News

Recent Publications


The Lung Cancer Autochthonous Model Gene Expression Database Enables Cross-Study Comparisons of the Transcriptomic Landscapes Across Mouse Models.

Journal Article Cancer Res · May 15, 2025 Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer mortality, exhibits diverse histologic subtypes and genetic complexities. Numerous preclinical mouse models have been developed to study lung cancer, but data from these models are disparate, siloed, and difficult t ... Full text Link to item Cite

Transmembrane Serine Protease TMPRSS11B promotes an acidified tumor microenvironment and immune suppression in lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Journal Article bioRxiv · April 3, 2025 Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Existing therapeutic options have limited efficacy, particularly for lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), underscoring the critical need for the identification of new therapeutic targets. ... Full text Link to item Cite
View All Publications

Recent Grants


Duke Research Training Program in Surgical Oncology

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

NEUROD1 function in SCLC fate and plasticity

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

Stalling cancer at the ribosome

ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by V Foundation for Cancer Research · 2025 - 2028

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 2005 Ph.D.
Oklahoma Baptist University · 2001 B.S.

External Links


Oliver Lab website