Natasha O'Brown, PhD

Glioblastoma is the most lethal primary brain tumor in adults, largely due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which blocks potentially effective chemotherapeutic drugs from entering the brain. Using zebrafish, Dr. O’Brown [Timmerman Traverse-Rachleff Innovator] aims to identify small molecules that can temporarily increase BBB permeability, enhancing drug delivery to brain tumors like glioblastoma and potentially improving patient outcomes. To achieve this, she will screen for small molecules that enhance BBB permeability and then validate promising candidates in mammalian systems to confirm their relevance for human use. Additionally, she will engineer “humanized” zebrafish to test advanced drug delivery methods in clinical trials. This innovative approach provides a new platform for discovering BBB-modulating therapies and paves the way for tailored treatments, offering hope for improved outcomes in aggressive brain cancers.