Lab Members

Professor

I did my undergraduate studies at Trinity College in Hartford, CT where I received my BS in Biology with Honors.  I earned my PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from Harvard University in 1994.   After completing postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Art Mercurio, I started an independent research lab in the Pathology Department at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School in 1999.  In 2005, I moved my lab to UMass Chan Medical School where I am currently a Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cell & Cancer Biology.

My research interest is in understanding the malignant progression of cancer from primary tumor to metastatic disease.  As a cell biologist by training, I have always been interested in how normal cells function.  As a cancer researcher, my goal is to elucidate how molecules or signaling pathways that control normal cell functions are co-opted in tumor cells to overcome normal controls and checkpoints to facilitate metastasis.  My lab aims to translate basic science discoveries into novel treatment approaches for metastatic cancer. 

Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Student

Michael graduated from Gordon College in 2016 with a BS in Biology, summa cum laude. After college, he attended the UMass Chan Medical School for one and a half years before transitioning to the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Michael joined the Shaw lab in November, 2020 to study the role of the insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors in breast cancer progression and metastasis. When not in the lab, Michael enjoys rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and gas station coffee. 

Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Student

Mac graduated from Worcester State University in 2019 with a BS in Biology. After college, he was an Associate Scientist at AbbVie characterizing drug process-related impurities for four years before joining UMass Chan Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Science. Mac joined the Shaw Lab in 2025 to study the role of IRS2 in regulating mitosis. Outside of the lab, he enjoys coffee, gaming, and spending time with friends.

Research Associate IV/Lab Manager

Jennifer received her BS in Biotechnology and MS in Biology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1999.  Her work in the Shaw Lab currently focuses on the IRS-1 and IRS-2 proteins and their distinct roles in breast cancer. The lab is interested in these proteins for the roles they play in signaling, invasion, self-renewal, and stemness. Outside of the lab Jen is adapting to empty nesting (her children are away at college at West Virginia University and University of Cincinnati) while spending time with her husband and 2 rescue dogs, drinking lots of coffee and watching sports.

Volunteer Researcher

Jeannie received her BS in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. Having her life affected by breast cancer personally, she joined the Shaw Lab in 2022 as a volunteering research intern. When not in the lab, she works as a community representative for cancer and public health advocacy. In her spare time, she enjoys walking with her husband and therapy dog named Cookie.