Heather L. Machado, PhD

Defining breast cancer “hot spots” during human breast development

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Dr. Machado’s research focuses on understanding how alterations in epithelial-immune cell interactions during mammary gland development contribute to breast cancer risk and progression. There are critical windows during postnatal breast development, such as puberty, pregnancy and involution (post-lactation) that are highly susceptible to mutagenic events and considered “hot spots” of breast cancer risk. The Machado lab aims to understand these mechanisms with the goal of developing therapeutic and preventive strategies targeted to a specific window of development.