Adriana Baker
Adriana is a graduate student in the (MD/PhD Program) studying cancer biology under the mentorship of Ratna Vadlamudi, Ph.D. For her research, Adriana is exploring novel therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma through the upregulation of the unfolded protein response following endoplasmic reticulum stress induction. For her clinical specialty, Adriana is considering pursuing medical oncology.
About Me
I was born and raised overseas in the country of Moldova, known for its excellent choices of wine. Throughout my time there, I studied the amazing chemistry of winemaking, but ultimately decided I enjoyed the final product of my labors rather than the process. In my 20’s I decided to make a pivot in my career choice and in 2011 I made my way over to the U.S. where I met my husband and started a family. While developing my personal life, I never took a break from pursuing my professional aspirations. My journey up to this point has been filled with many challenges but has also been balanced by the amazing memories and proud accomplishments that I could not have achieved without the unending support of my wonderful family.
Hobbies/Interests
It is my goal to have my own farm and botanical garden in my home. During my free time, I enjoy walking through my garden and talking to my plants and vegetables and collecting rent in the form of eggs from my chicken tenants.
Research Topic
Cancer research
Why I chose MD/PhD
I enjoy working in a lab and the gratification that comes with new discoveries. However, looking through the microscope doesn't let one see the whole picture. Ideally, I see myself being able to integrate my scientific training with my medical one to generate novel treatment options or make discoveries that will advance our current understanding of disease processes.
Why I chose MD/PhD at 51²è¹Ý
STX MSTP is the program where I saw myself fit the best. It is the program that allows the room not just for professional development but welcomes personal sides as well. Here I met MD/PhD students that were marrying, having children and seem well balanced in their personal and professional lives.
Education
B.S., Biology, University of Nevada - Las Vegas, 2019
Publications
Baker, A., Garner, M. C., Kimberley, K. W., Sims, D. B., Stordock, J. H., Taggart R. P., & Walton, D. J. (2018). Cyanide Toxicity of Freshly Prepared Smoothies and Juices Frequently Consumed. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety. 8(4), 215 224.
Rogers, L. C., Zhou, J., Baker, A., Schutt, C. R., Panda, P. K., & Van Tine, B. A. (2020). Intracellular sensor reveals minimum arginine concentration required for translation in ASS1- negative cells. Cancer & Metabolism. 2021 Jan;9(1):4.
Nassar, K. M., Yang, X., Baker, A., Gopalam, R., Arnold, W. C., Adeniran, T. T., Hernandez Fernandez, M. H., Mahajan, M., Lai, Z., Chen, Y., Sareddy, G. R., Viswanadhapalli, S., Sun, L. Z., Vadlamudi, R. K., & Pratap, U. P. (2024). PELP1 Is a Novel Therapeutic Target in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancer Res Commun, 4(10), 2610-2620.
Collier, A. B., Viswanadhapalli, S., Gopalam, R., Lee, T. K., Kassees, K., Parra, K., Sharma, G., Reese, T. C., Liu, X., Yang, X., Ebrahimi, B., Pratap, U. P., Mahajan, M., Arnold, W. C., Baker, A., Chen, C. Y., Elmore, S. T., Subbarayalu, P., Sareddy, G. R.,...Vadlamudi, R. K. (2024). Novel LIPA-Targeted Therapy for Treating Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel), 16(3).
Rogers, L. C., Kremer, J. C., Brashears, C. B., Lin, Z., Hu, Z., Bastos, A. C. S., Baker, A., Fettig, N., Zhou, D., Shoghi, K. I., Dehner, C. A., Chrisinger, J. S. A., Bomalaski, J. S., Garcia, B. A., Oyama, T., White, E. P., & Van Tine, B. A. (2023). Discovery and Targeting of a Noncanonical Mechanism of Sarcoma Resistance to ADI-PEG20 Mediated by the Microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res, 29(16), 3189-3202. 0432.CCR-22-2642
Rogers, L. C., Zhou, J., Baker, A., Schutt, C. R., Panda, P. K., & Van Tine, B. A. (2021). Intracellular arginine-dependent translation sensor reveals the dynamics of arginine starvation response and resistance in ASS1-negative cells. Cancer Metab, 9(1), 4.
Baker, A., Garner, M. C., Kimberley, K. W., Sims, D. B., Stordock, J. H., Taggart, R. P., & Walton, D. J. (2018). Cyanide Toxicity of Freshly Prepared Smoothies and Juices Frequently
