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Faculty Profile Last Modified Time: 07:25:21 AM Fri, 20 Jul 2018   Contact Information Stephen Yenzen Lai Associated Profiles  Professor, Head and Neck Surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center   MDA FCT10.6002, Room No.: Unit 1445    SYLai@mdanderson.org     713.792.6528    Web Link    Head And Neck Neoplasms, Radiotherapy, Neoplasms, Neck, Oropharyngeal Neoplasms, Erythropoietin Receptors, Therapeutics, Thyroid Neoplasms    Associated Profiles Professional Preparation Research and Expertise Affiliations Appointments  Professional Preparation  Degree Major Institution Year  MD Medicine University of California, San Francisco 1998  PhD Biomedical Sciences University of California, San Francisco 1996  BA/BS Economics, Biological Sciences Stanford University 1991  Research and Expertise Research Interests   Dr. Lai is a Professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and a board-certified head and neck cancer surgeon. His research program spans the basic and translational science spectrum. Dr. Lai collaborates with a diverse multidisciplinary team to identify novel therapeutic targets and approaches for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and aggressive thyroid cancers, including anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). The laboratory is exploring the role of microRNA (miRNA), specifically miR-27a* (mir-27a-5p), in regulating HNSCC disease progression. This work has defined miR-27a* regulation of the EGFR-AKT1-mTOR pathway and a novel regulatory feedback loop involving P63 that is influenced by the mutational status of P53. We also utilize imaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to assess tumor and normal tissue response to treatment. The use of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) to assess the effects of external beam radiation therapy on the mandible is helping to understand the natural history of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in head and neck cancer patients. Also, metabolic interrogation through the use of hyperpolarized MRI (HP-MRI) to assess alterations in the rate of conversion of pyruvate to lactate has allowed Dr. Lai and his collaborators to assess the response of tumors to treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy. Dr. Lai integrates these research interests with active leadership in clinical trials to encourage rapid translation of laboratory research into the clinical setting.  Publications/Creative Works Click here to search for this faculty member's publications on PubMed.  Affiliations  Research Consortia GCC Cluster NanoX Gulf Coast Cluster for Translational Imaging Gulf Coast Cluster for Single Cell Omics  Appointments Title Department / School Institution Professor Head and Neck Surgery MD Anderson Cancer Center

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