About the Ferrer Lab
The Ferrer Lab at the University of Maryland Baltimore is focused on studying the mechanisms of metastatic initiation, dissemination, and outgrowth in pancreatic cancer. We are dedicated to advancing the understanding of this devastating disease and developing new treatment strategies.
Meet Our Team
Christina Maria Ferrer, PhD
Principal Investigator
Alejandro Arroyo Roman, MS
Senior Research Specialist
Dr. Ferrer began her career as a cancer biologist in the Reginato Lab at Drexel University College of Medicine. She completed her postdoctoral training in the Mostoslavsky Lab at the MGH Cancer Center, where she developed an interest in the molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatic cancer metastasis. In September 2022, she launched her independent lab and has since been named a Forbeck Foundation Scholar, a V Scholar by the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and a recipient of the Laure Aurelian Biomedical Research Award.
Alejandro received his bachelor's degree in Biological Chemistry and Parasitology from the Autonomous University of Guerrero in Mexico. He then received his master's degree in Molecular Biomedicine at the National School of Medicine as part of a research team studying the cytotoxic effects of plant metabolites on breast cancer cell lines. Later, he investigated molecular markers to diagnose lymphoblastic leukemia with metastasis to the central nervous system in children. Currently, his work studies the metabolic adaptations of metastatic pancreatic cancer cells.
Research Assistant
Deborah Delgado, MS
PhD Student, Molecular Medicine Program - Cancer Biology Track
Deborah received her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Havana, Cuba. While working at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiology, she studied the association between metabolic syndrome and cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions. In 2021 she earned a Master's of Science in Biochemistry at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Her research project currently focuses on identifying novel chemoresistance mechanisms in metastatic cells.
Garis Grant, BSc
PhD Candidate, Molecular Medicine Program - Cancer Biology Track
Garis received her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Agnes Scott College. She was then chosen as an NCI iCure Fellow where she began her training in Cancer Biology. She joined the PhD program at UMB in Molecular Medicine in 2021. Her PhD work is co-mentored by Dr. Ferrer and Dr. Tonya Webb and is focused on identifying the phenotypic contribution of naive and activated macrophages on pancreatic cancer dissemination and metastasis.
