My name is Tolulope Ayo (Tolu), and I am originally from Osun State, Nigeria. I obtained my PhD in cell and molecular biology from the University of Southern Mississippi where my research was mostly focused on elucidating the molecular dynamics of mast cell exocytosis. Driven by my desire to expand my scientific horizons, I joined the Brugarolas’ lab in September, 2024 where I am now investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying clear cell renal cell carcinoma and translocation renal cell carcinoma. My aim is to contribute to the development of innovative therapies that can make a tangible difference in the lives of patients with kidney cancer.
I received my Master’s degree in Physics and PhD in Biophysics from Sevastopol National Technical University. I have extensive training in computational biology, computer-aided drug design, and machine learning. I joined UT Southwestern Medical Center in January 2025. My work primarily focuses on analyzing and exploring clinical, whole-exome sequencing (WES), and RNA-seq data for biomarker discovery in kidney cancer.
I am originally from Warangal, India, and earned my Ph.D. from the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) in Pune, India. During my doctoral research, I investigated the role of stromal fibroblasts in modulating breast cancer progression. In September 2021, I joined the Brugarolas Lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where my current research focuses on understanding how the tumor microenvironment influences drug resistance and relapse in kidney cancer. I employ patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and transgenic mouse models to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving therapy resistance, with the goal of identifying new strategies for more durable cancer treatments.
I’m from Fort Worth, Texas and graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor degree in Business. I joined the Brugarolas team in 2015. I retired from UTSW but have returned on a part-time basis. I enjoy working for such a prestigious institution and being a part of such an incredible team.
I am originally from Chittagong, Bangladesh, and earned my Ph.D. from Aichi Medical University, Japan. My research focused on advancing genome editing technologies, particularly targeted knock-ins using CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease/nickase and prime editing, as well as identifying novel therapeutic targets in malignant mesothelioma. In February 2025, I joined the Brugarolas Lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where I am investigating the molecular and therapeutic mechanisms of renal cell carcinoma using patient-derived xenografts and transgenic mouse models for biomarker identification.
Born and raised in Dallas, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from UT Austin and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. I completed an Administrative Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine before returning to Dallas to join UT Southwestern. Within the Kidney Cancer Program, I support a variety of responsibilities including grant submission and management, conference coordination, recruitment for lab positions, and clinic preparation for Dr. Brugarolas. I also oversee our Patient Advocate activities, manage lab communications and media, and enjoy organizing team-building events that foster connection and collaboration.
I am a staff pathologist at UT Southwestern, and a professor in the department of Pathology. I received pathology training at two training programs in opposite sides of the world – Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. My research interests include characterizing and developing prognostic, predictive and diagnostic markers in adult tumors. Currently, I’m involved in multiple collaborative projects in genitourinary pathology, but investigating the biology of renal cell carcinoma has been most exciting. Dr. Brugarolas is an excellent mentor and a great collaborator and it has been fun working with him.
I am from Kolkata, India. I obtained my PhD at the Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education of Homi Bhabha National Institute in 2021, where I focused on investigating the underpinning mechanism behind radioresistance in breast cancer. After earning my PhD, I joined the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay as a postdoctoral fellow where I investigated a localized drug delivery system for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. I joined the Brugarolas Lab in November 2022, focusing on understanding therapeutic resistance and tumor aggressiveness in clear cell renal carcinoma.
I am a Texas native. I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2019, where I initially interned in a neurology lab focusing on nerve regeneration. I joined the Brugarolas Lab in the summer of 2020, where I am now responsible for helping determine the morphological characteristics of patient renal tumors that have been implanted into mice.
I am from Tamil Nadu, India. I obtained my Ph.D. degree in Molecular Cancer Biology from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi in 2017. My doctoral dissertation was focused on cancer metabolism; specifically, I studied the deregulation of glycolytic enzymes that contributes to cancer progression. I joined the Brugarolas lab in July of 2018 to pursue cutting-edge knowledge in the basic biology and translational research of kidney cancer. My research is focused on investigating the aberrant signaling pathways that drives the subtype of renal cancer called “Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma”.
I received a M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of North Texas. My thesis work focused on the development of a von Willebrand factor zebrafish mutant using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. I joined the Brugarolas lab in summer of 2018, where I am working on the evaluation of potential molecularly targeted therapies in RCC tumorgraft models. I am happy to be back and to contribute to the innovative research of the KCP that should one day provide novel treatments and lead to better outcomes for kidney cancer patients.
After earning my BS in Public Administration from the University of Missouri, I started working in academic medicine in 1985. Originally I worked at UCLA, and then at UTSW when my family moved to Dallas. I recently completed my MA in Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management. I’ve always found the work in academic medicine dynamic, interesting, challenging, and worthwhile. Over the years, I have been privileged to support some of the best leaders and brightest minds in the field. Working in the Brugarolas lab as the Kidney Cancer Program Coordinator is a perfect challenge for me at this time. It is an honor to work with such a wonderful team and to support the continued growth and future of the program.
Born and raised in Jiangxi, China, I earned my B.S. in Computer Science from Beijing Jiaotong University before completing my Ph.D. in Computer Science at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, specializing in machine learning applications in bioinformatics. I then pursued postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago, focusing on single-cell sequencing and multi-omics analysis. I am honored to join the Kidney Cancer Program at UT southwestern, led by Dr. Brugarolas, as an Assistant Professor, where I collaborate closely with researchers and physicians to advance our understanding of tumorigenesis in renal cell carcinoma.
I am a Resident Physician and Assistant Instructor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern. I was fortunate to obtain a position in the TARDIS research program that funds my research time with the KCP. I moved to Florida from China at the age of 12 and hold a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) with specialization in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I then completed my medical doctoral degree concurrently with a master’s degree in Genomic Medicine from the University of Miami. I am currently working on a project identifying prognostic factors for patient with RCC that have metastasized to the pancreas. I am thankful for the opportunity to work with a giant in the field of GU cancer in Dr. Brugarolas, and to learn different skillsets in translational research.
I obtained my Ph.D. degree from Dr. Qun He’s lab at China Agricultural University, where I focused on investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying aberrant heterochromatin spreading in Neurospora. In August 2022, I joined Dr. Alec Zhang’s lab at UTSW as a postdoctoral fellow, where I established a direct link between amyloid proteins and the immunosuppressive activity of myeloid cells. In April 2025, I joined Dr. Brugarolas’ lab to further advance my expertise in translational kidney cancer research, with a particular focus on genetic therapeutic strategies for clear cell renal carcinoma.
