Arlee Fafalios
Year started program: 2005
Program name: Cellular And Molecular Pathology
2005 - BS, Biology, Allegheny College

One of the main reasons I decided to come to the University of Pittsburgh to do my thesis work was because of the interdisciplinary program. I was unsure exactly what I wanted to dedicate the next 5-6 years of my life to and the interdisciplinary biomedical graduate program allowed me to explore fields of research that I was unaware I was interested in. I thought coming into the program that I wanted to work with viruses but tried prostate cancer research (pathology) and knew that is what I would be most passionate about. This in my opinion is the best way to go about graduate school because although you may have an idea regarding what you think you may want to thoroughly research you really don't until you try something that you have never been exposed to.

In 2005 I joined the Cellular and Molecular Pathology Program under the guidance of Dr. Beth Pflug. The overall goal of Dr. Pflug's lab is to determine the molecular mechanisms driving prostate progression. My research focuses on a mitochondrial membrane molecule called Translocator Protein (TSPO). I am currently working to identify the role of this molecule in prostate cancer and identifying the mechanism by which Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine commonly used in the clinic to treat anxiety, acts upon TSPO to promote apoptosis and decrease cell proliferation.

Publications:
Department of Defense Predoctoral Prostate Cancer Training Award titled “Elucidating the Role of Translocator Protein in Prostate Cancer” PC080062
Project Period: 4/1/09-3/31/12
Annual Award: $24,500 & $1800 travel

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