Paula Gregory, PhD

My research expertise is in the area of hereditary cancer predisposition. I have worked in the area of cancer genetics my entire career. Currently, I am the PI of a project examining the high incidence of colorectal cancer among Cajuns in southeast Louisiana, we hypothesize that there is a founder mutation in this population in one of the hereditary CRC genes, most likely a Lynch Syndrome gene. In my position at NHGRI, I was the Director of Genetic Education and oversaw a variety of programs there. At the Ohio State University, I was awarded an R25 from the NCI that funded summer cancer research experiences for medical students. As the PI, I was responsible for recruitment, placement of students and coordination of all programmatic aspects. Another R25 from NCI funded my efforts at public education on hereditary cancers by providing expertise and equipment for molecular biology in area high schools. At LSUHSC, I was awarded an NIH Science Education Partnership Award to work with local high schools and high school teachers. This award provided funding for summer teacher workshops as well as science kits for use in the classroom. In addition to those activities, I teach Grant Writing to fellows at the NIH as well as helping new faculty at LSUHSC. I have been Co-Director of the Tulane MSCR program for over ten years and am the Co-Director of the LACaTS Professional Development Core. Based on my expertise, the Dean of the School of Medicine asked me to be the Director of Faculty Development. I have been awarded NIH T35 funding from NHLBI, NIDDK and NIAAA to support medical student summer research; these students are placed with junior faculty mentors and assist them in their research. With over 20 years of experience establishing, coordinating and evaluating research training programs, I am uniquely qualified to work on this mentor training project.