Massar Alsamraae, PhD, M.Sc.

Staff Scientist, Section of Hematology/Oncology

Lung cancer remains one of the most challenging health concerns worldwide, necessitating innovative strategies and new treatment options to improve patient quality of life. My studies focus on the role of lactate transport through monocarboyxlate transporter-1 (MCT1) in lung cancer metastasis. By understanding which tumors use lactate, and how tumors adapt to MCT1 inhibition, we hope to develop novel therapeutic approaches that ultimately lead to more effective and personalized treatment regimens.

Robert Cameron, MD, PhD

Clinical Fellow, Section of Hematology/Oncology

Originally from Germantown TN, Rob obtained his B.S. in Chemistry from Davidson College before earning his M.D. and PhD. from the Medical University of South Carolina. His dissertation work in the laboratory of Rick Schnellmann focused on beta-2 adrenergic receptor signaling in renal proximal tubule mitochondrial biogenesis. Rob came to the University of Chicago for his residency in Internal Medicine, and his fellowship in Hematology/Oncology as part of the Physician Scientist Development program. His current work in the Faubert lab centers on targeting lactate metabolism in concert with clinically applicable drugs to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). His clinical work has focused on surrogate endpoints for early-stage NSCLC. When not in the lab or clinic, he spends his time paying tribute to his Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Oligoproline.

Brianna Chang

Research Assistant

Brianna is a senior in highschool at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Her work in the Faubert lab includes stable isotope tracing analysis, CRISPR Cas9 gene editing, and developing new cloning methods for the lab. In her free time, Brianna enjoys figure skating and represented Team USA at the 2023 Nations Cup.

Mace Clare

PhD Candidate, Committee on Cancer Biology

Mace graduated from Purdue University, having previously studied factors that regulate T-cell differentiation. In the Faubert lab, Mace studies how cancer cells develop chemoresistance by interrogating cell-cell crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment.

Nathan Dubois, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Originally from France, in the superb Champagne region, Nathan obtained his MS in Biology and Health. During his studies, he became particularly interested in Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in pancreatic and colon cancer. With this particular interested in EVs, he pursued his PhD in Belgium, a country where the food isn’t as good, but the beer and fries are better. His PhD work focused on the role of EVs in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, studying how EVs established a protective environment for cancer cells by altering the native immune cells.
In his free time, Nathan tried to watch as many series and films as possible, while trying to make people round him laugh.  

Theresa Haitzmann

Visiting PhD Candidate

Theresa is visiting the Faubert lab from Austria, where she is pursuing her PhD at the Medical University of Graz. She is interested in the adaptation of lung cancer cells to glycolysis inhibition, focusing on how alternative nutrients and pathways are used to circumvent glucose restriction and promote lung cancer growth and proliferation. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities and has a passion for good food. 

Nia Hammond

PhD Candidate, Committee on Cancer Biology

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Nia graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a double major in biochemistry and molecular, developmental and cellular biology. In her PhD work, she is interested in understanding the metabolic pathways that aid metastasis and how different organs provide unique metabolic environments that force metastatic cancer cells to adapt to in order to survive.

Rachel Zuckerman

Undergraduate Thesis Student

Coming from Washington, DC, Rachel Zuckerman is a Clinical Excellence Scholar in her third year at the College majoring in neuroscience and biological sciences specializing in cell and molecular biology. After she gets her undergraduate degree, she hopes to attend medical school. She can’t wait to begin narrowing down topics for her thesis research. Rachel has worked as a professional muralist and likes to use art to understand lab concepts. 

Aaron Dyas

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Coming to Chicago from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Aaron is an undergraduate student at the College, majoring in Biological Sciences and specializing in Global Health. Within the lab, Aaron is focusing on the role of metabolism in altering cell state. Specifically, he is interested in how metabolic alterations forces cancer cells to transition between epithelial and mesenchymal cell states.

 Aaron is exploring his passion for Public Health as he continues his undergraduate degree.

Mayher Kaur

B.S., B.A, UChicago

As an undergraduate thesis student, Mayher investigated the metabolic plasticity of metastasizing non-small cell lung cancer, with a special interest in characterizing the metabolism of circulating tumor cells. Outside of her thesis work, Mayher contributed to numerous facets of the Faubert lab (including building this website), working closely with her labmates, terrorizing Brandon, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. In 2024, Mayher graduated with a B.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Biological Sciences with Honors, specializing in cancer biology.

Mayher is continuing her research in the lab of Dr. Jessalyn Ubellacker at Harvard’s School of Public Health.