Richard A. Steinman, MD, PhD

Dr. Steinman's laboratory studies the cancer microenvironment with a focus on the molecular and functional interactions between cancer cells, fibroblasts and platelets. He has developed novel tools to enable fluorescent labeling and desired planned genetic recombination of normal cells that are next to cancer cells, making it possible for normal cells that were in the path of cancer cells to be isolated and characterized for cancer-induced collaborative signals. Through this approach he seeks to uncover and to dissect the impact of signaling pathways on tumor-stromal co-evolution. He also studies tumor dormancy, modeling factors in host stromal cells that could contribute to breast cancer recurrence and conversion to estrogen receptor negativity in bone. His study of communication between cancer and normal cells also includes work on platelets, in which his laboratory has identified an unexpected pathway that appears to be necessary for platelets to bind to cancer cells and support their spread. Dr. Steinman is currently PI on 3 NIH grants as well as a DoD grant.

Dr. Steinman has a longstanding interest in the education of physician scientists, serving as Director of Pitt’s Medical Scientist Training Program since 2012. He has also directed the University of Pittsburgh Physician Scientist Training Program since 2008. The goal for the MSTP is that it builds trainees’ professional and scientific skills in a framework that models research-clinical integration and enriches their ability to make strategic career and scientific decisions that accelerate their success. Diversity in the physician scientist workforce is another interest; he has initiated and directed a multi-year NIH-supported collaborative education and training program between the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Hampton University, a minority-serving institution. This program involved dozens of faculty and established multiple courses and laboratory rotations in Cancer Biology at Hampton, launching a 13-year involvement with that institution. An additional interest is the development of novel educational tools and strategies; these have led to awards and publications.