Dan Sherbenou, MD, PhD

Personal Interests
As an undergraduate at the University of Colorado, I started my scientific career focused on basic science research of cancer. In the laboratory of Dr. Min Han, I studied the Ras cell signaling pathway using the C. elegans model organism. In the MD/PhD program at Oregon Health & Science University, I focused on translational leukemia research. Under the mentorship of Drs. Brian Druker and Michael Deininger, I studied chronic myeloid leukemia. My thesis evaluated mechanisms of kinase inhibitor resistance in patients treated with imatinib (Gleevec). In oncology fellowship at University of California at San Francisco, I focused on the study of antibody-based therapeutics under the mentorship of Dr. Bin Liu. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are another rapidly growing approach to cancer treatment. With Dr. Liu, I conducted preclinical analyses of a novel ADC for multiple myeloma, with hope for this to soon lead to transition to the clinic. Now a faculty member at UC Denver in the Hematology division, I oversee a translational research laboratory focused on novel therapy development and optimization for multiple myeloma and care for patients with myeloma and related plasma cell disorders from Colorado and adjoining areas. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and 2 young sons. I love the mountains and spending time outdoors, hiking, road biking, mountain biking and rock climbing.