Chandra Bartholomeusz, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine
About Dr. Chandra Bartholomeusz
I have a strong background in translational breast cancer research in the areas of cancer biology and molecular therapeutics and signaling in breast cancer. Ihave shown that PEA-15, a novel phosphoprotein, has tumor suppressor properties in both breast and ovarian cancer, binds and inhibits ERK, and correlates with longer overall survival in patients with ovarian cancer. The overall goal of the proposed research is the development of noveltargeted therapy inhibiting tumorigenicity and metastasis by development of PEA-15-AA as a therapeutic agent in TNBC and using Wnt/β-catenin as a predictive biomarker; and the development of these agents into clinical strategies for patients with TNBC. I can provide my expertise in breast cancer biology pertaining to the MAPK pathway documented by my peer-reviewed publications and research grants from public and private funding agencies.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor (Tenured), Department of Breast Medical Oncology - Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Regular Member, MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School, Department of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor (Tenured), Department of Breast Medical Oncology - Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2004 | The University of Texas, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences - Health Science Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, US, PhD in Cancer Biology - Molecular Biology |
| 1986 | University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZM, MD |
| 1983 | University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZM, BS (Human Biology) |
Postgraduate Training
| 2008-2009 | Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2004-2008 | Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor - Tenure Track, Department of Breast Medical Oncology - Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2019
Assistant Professor - NTR, Department of Breast Medical Oncology - Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2013
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Co-Director -Middle School Program, Summer Experience Programs, Department of Education and Training, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - 2023
Faculty Liaison for Summer Experience Programs, Department of Education and Training, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2020 - 2023
Co-Director -Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) and Outreach Programs(OP) under the umbrella of the Summer Experience Programs, Department of Education and Training, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2020 - 2023
Chief Ad Interim for of the Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology - Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2017
Other Professional Positions
Research Assistant, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1997 - 2000
Medical Student Elective in Pediatrics, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, 1985 - 1985
Medical Student Research Assistant, The University of Zambia and World Health Organization Tropical Diseases Research Center, Ndola, 1985
Medical Student Research Assistant, University Teaching Hospital, 1985
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Committee Member, GSBS Executive Committee, MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 2024 - Present
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
BMO Search Committee, Interviewed Dr. Raissa Kentsa, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025
Member, BMO Chair Advisory Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - 2025
Chair, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS )Scholarship Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Reviewer, NCI F99/K00 Award Nominee Selection Meeting, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024
Judge, Therapeutics and Pharmacology Program Retreat, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 2024
Committee Member, Mentorship Committee - Dr. Simone Anfossi, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Reviewer, 2024 Graduate Student Research Day (GSRD), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024
Reviewer, Division of Cancer Medicine (DoCM) Employee Recognition & Awards Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024
Reviewer, Trainee Research Day (TRD), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2024
Co-Director, Co-Director GSBS TAP Core Course, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Committee Member, Research Integrity Inquiry Committee Meeting, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Faculty Representative, Graduate Education Committee (GEC), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Committee Member, Therapeutics and Pharmacology (TAP) Program Steering Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - 2026
Judge - Poster, 2023 Graduate Student Research Day (GSRD), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023
Reviewer, Research Faculty Appointment - Promotion Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023
Committee Member, GSBS Student Scholarship Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Judge, Trainee Research Day (TRD), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022
Committee Member, BReaST service phase I protocol REView (BRSTRev), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Committee Member, Inflammatory Breast Cancer Executive Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Reviewer, 31st Keck Annual Research Conference Poster Session, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021
Committee Member, Odyssey Program Advisory Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present
Reviewer, 2020 TAP Virtual Program Retreat Oral Presentation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020
Committee Member, Scientific Review Committee 4 (SRC 4), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2024
Committee Member, Faculty Educator of the Year Selection Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Reviewer, Distinguished Faculty Mentor Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019
Co-Chair, Postdoctoral Advisory Committee (PDAC), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2020
Faculty Judge- Oral Presentation Clinical/Translational Science:, APSS (Annual Postdoctoral Science Symposium), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019
Reviewer, ARC- 2019 ConTex Postdoctoral Fellowships, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019
Reviewer, SINF (Global Academic Programs) committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019
Committee Member, Inflammatory Breast cancer Seminar Series, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - Present
Chair - Ad Interim, Academic Standards Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019
Reviewer, 2019 Internal Medicine Employee Excellence Awards, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019
Faculty Member Reviewer, Faculty Academic Review Committee (Faculty ARC), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2022
Committee Member, IBC Wranglers Boot Walk Planning, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Program and Clinic, 2019 - Present
Committee Member, Student and Trainee Leadership Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2020
Faculty Member, Postdoctoral Advisory Committee (PDAC), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2021
Retreat Judge - Oral Presentation, TAP (Therapeutics & Pharmacology) 9th Annual Program Retreat, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018
Faculty Judge, Trainee Recognition Day - Oral Competition of Translational Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018
Faculty Judge, Trainee Recognition Day - Endowed Fellowship Events, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2018
Judge, 59th Annual National Student Research Forum, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018
Member, Academic Standards Committee -GSBS, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2020
Faculty Judge -Abstracts and Posters, 7th Annual Postdoctoral Science Symposium (APSS), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017
Poster Judge, GSBS Student Research Day (GSRD), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017
Judge, GSBS Annual Oral Presentaion Skill Competetion, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2016
Department Research Leader representing Chair when out of office, DOCM and Executive Council Meeting (IREC), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2019
Representative for Breast Medical Oncology Department (Awarded Incucyte as Capital Equipment in 2016), Research Capital Equipment Prioritizing Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014
Panel Member, Appeal Hearing Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - 2013
Faculty Representative for Department (Awarded Time-Lapse Microscope and Incucyte)), Research Capital Equipment Prioritizing Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2010 - 2016
Member, Scientific Publications Advisory Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2019
Committee Member, Cancer Biology Retreat Organizing Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2004
Editorial Activities
Member Editorial Advisory Board, Medical Hypothesis, 2012 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2024 - Present | ACS Catalyst Award, ACS |
| 2024 | Awesome Job Award - Panelist for DoCM Employee Recognition & Awards Program FY24 Citation for Excellence Awards, DoCM - Claire Blondeau |
| 2023 | Department of Defense (Breast cancer Research Program-Breakthrough Award-Level 2), Department of Defense |
| 2021 | Bootwalk to End Cancer - Co-Captain IBC Wrangler Team, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2021 | LEADing Others Accelerate, Leadership Institute at MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2019 | Highlighted as an ACS funded researcher, American Cancer Society |
| 2019 | AAMC Mid- Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar selected Participant, Association of American Medical Colleges |
| 2018 | American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award, American Cancer Society |
| 2017 | Commitment to Mentoring Award, MD Anderson Cancer Center - Awarded by Dr.Lara Carolina Landry |
| 2012 | AAMC Early Career Women Faculty Professional Development Seminar selected Participant, Association of American Medical Colleges |
| 2011 | Annual Division of Cancer Medicine Research Awards Program Winner of Research Award for academic excellence (3rd Place), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2009 | AACR –WICR (American Association of Cancer Research - Women In Cancer Research) Scholar-in-Training Award, American Association of Cancer Research |
| 2009 | K99/ROO Pathway to Independence Award, NIH/NCI |
| 2007 | Bristol-Myers Squibb Award in Clinical Translational Research Poster Winner (1st place), Trainee Recognition Day, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2007 | The Linda K. Manning Fellowship in Ovarian Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2006 | The Diane Denson Tabola Fellowship in Ovarian Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2006 | Postdoctoral Fellowship -Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation |
| 2005 | BettyAnn Asche-Murray Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2004 | Scientific Excellence Award in the Post Candidacy Category First Place Winner (Abstract-Oral Presentation), Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences-Cancer Biology Retreat, University of Texas Health Science Center |
| 2003 - 2004 | Travel Award, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences-University of Texas Health Science Center |
| 2002 | Honorable mention top 10% abstracts, Trainee Recognition Day, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2002 | Research Experience Fellowship in Summer Program for U.S. Graduate Students in Science and Engineering to conduct research in Japan, National Science Foundation of US/Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan |
| 1995 | Cleo Cross International Scholarship Award, University of Oklahoma |
| 1993 - 1997 | Graduate College Merit Tuition/Fee Waiver Award, University of Oklahoma |
Professional Memberships
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - Present |
| Title: | MELK Inhibition as a Strategic Approach to Target Cancer Stem Cells and Enhance Radiation Efficacy in Aggressive Breast Cancers |
| Funding Source: | 2025 Multidivisional Shark Tank Award |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2024 - 2026 |
| Title: | Deciphering the role of MELK in tumor stemness and immune microenvironment in models of aggressive breast cancer |
| Funding Source: | ACS |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | FP00023945 |
| Date: | 2024 - 2026 |
| Title: | A novel MELK-DKK1 pathway regulates stemness in Aggressive Breast Cancers - MD Anderson Bridge Funds |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | Cover the salary and fringe increase of the Postdoctoral Fellow |
| Funding Source: | 2023 Boot Walk Funding Award |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2023 - 2025 |
| Title: | Inflammatory Breast cancer MRP Core Funding |
| Funding Source: | State of Texas Grant for Rare and Aggressive Breast Cancer |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2023 - 2026 |
| Title: | The Role of MELK in Stromal Reorganization of Aggressive Breast Cancers |
| Funding Source: | DOD/Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (DOD/CDMRP) |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | BC220287 |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 31, 2026