The Lawler Lab

Sean Lawler, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown Cancer Center
Director of Graduate Studies, Therapeutic Sciences Graduate Program, Brown University

Co-Director, CNS Translational Research Disease Group, Brown Cancer Center

Dr. Lawler leads the Brain Cancer Therapy Lab in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Brown University. He is affiliated with the Brown Cancer Center, where he is co-leader of the CNS Cancer Translational Disease Research Group.

Sean Lawler obtained his PhD from the University of London in 1992, and specialized in mammalian signal transduction mechanisms during his post-doctoral training at UCSF, INSERM and the University of Dundee, before faculty appointments at Massachussetts General Hospital, The Ohio State University, the University of Leeds, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he has developed an expertise in translational approaches for brain tumor therapy. 

Pippa, Ph.D.

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Andy Schmidt

Andy studies the cGAS-STING pathway in the context of glioblastoma and the brain endothelium. She is interested in characterizing potential crosstalk between STING signaling and angiogenic signaling pathways, specifically MEK/ERK. She loves running Western blots and optimizing new techniques.

Noe Mercado

Noe is a PhD candidate in the Pathobiology program at Brown University. He is currently working on understanding the impact of Cytomegalovirus on glioblastoma progression and therapy. He received his BS from Salve Regina University then after graduating worked at Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical where his research focused on clinical development of vaccines.

Jasmine Clark

Jasmine is a 5th year PhD candidate in the Therapeutic Sciences Graduate Program at Brown University. Her research focuses on investigating how inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) influences tumor cell behavior and blood-brain barrier permeability in diffuse midline glioma (DMG), a highly aggressive pediatric brain tumor with limited treatment options. DMG treatment is challenging due to the tumor’s invasive nature and the blood-brain barrier’s role in limiting effective drug delivery. Her goal is to identify new strategies that target tumor progression and improve the delivery of therapeutic agents. Outside the lab, Jasmine enjoys reading, crochet, roller skating, baking, and spending time with friends.

Michelle Shub

Michelle is a 3rd year PhD Candidate in the Therapeutic Sciences Graduate Program, studying the role of pathogen sensing proteins in GBM progression and immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment. Prior to Brown, she was a student-athlete at Tufts University, where she played on the Varsity Women’s Tennis Team while earning a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. When she’s not in the lab, you can find her playing tennis on the Brown Club Tennis Team, spending weekends on the beach or on the ski slopes (depending on the season), and hanging with her friends!

Fun fact: she speaks Russian!

Paola Alejandra Sundaram Buitrago

Paola is a PhD candidate from Puerto Rico in the Brown University MCB Graduate Program. Her primary research focuses on the translation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in various contexts, especially cancer. In her free time, she enjoys aquascaping, heavy weightlifting, and playing music and video games. Currently, she is working on circRNAs related to the blood-brain barrier in the Lawler lab.

Cara McDavitt, MD.

Cara McDavitt is a board-certified pediatrician completing her subspecialty training in pediatric hematology/oncology. She earned her medical degree from Oregon Health & Science University and completed her residency at Brown University Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Dr. McDavitt is currently conducting research through Brown University in the Lawler Lab. Her research focuses on immune interactions in pediatric brain tumors and developing innovative therapies.

Elizabeth Carrara

Elizabeth is a second-year Biotechnology master’s student investigating the role of PIM1 kinase in triple-negative breast cancer and glioblastoma. In the Lawler Lab, she aims to characterize how PIM1 contributes to tumor progression and impacts blood brain barrier integrity. Prior to joining Brown, Elizabeth earned her B.S. in Neuroscience and Biology from Dickinson College. Outside the lab, she is an active member of GAMMA, Brown’s grappling and mixed martial arts club.

Tolulope Adewumi

Tolulope Adewumi is seeking her Master of Science in Biotechnology. She graduated class of 2025 from Tufts double majoring in Biotechnology and Spanish Cultural Studies. She hopes to become a researcher with global impact! She loves traveling, learning culture through food and cooking, enjoys being in nature and loves a good night of games, movies, and/or dancing!

Yanfei Qiu

Yanfei Qiu is seeking her Master of Science in Biotechnology. She graduated class of 2024 from University of California, Irvine double majoring in Biological Sciences and Business Economics. She is pursuing PhD and further scientific research as a future goal. She’s also an active member of the Brown University Taekwondo Team, and she loves traveling!

Yovany Padilla

Yovany Padilla is a second-year master’s student in Biotechnology whose research investigates novel combination therapies incorporating BIA, an indirubin derivative with anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and neuroprotective properties. To date, only combinations with temozolomide (TMZ), the standard of care, and PARG inhibitors have been tested. Outside the lab, he practices BJJ, wrestling, and boxing, and is active in GAMMA, the Latinx Club, and the Graduate and Medical Student Christian Fellowship