Skip to Content

'
Robin Fuchs-Young, PhD

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Associate Professor, Department of Carcinogenesis, SPRD, UT MDACC, Smithville, TX

Office Address

Phone: 512-237-9547

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1988 Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, PHD, Pathology
1978 Emory University, Atlanta, GA, BS, Biology

Postgraduate Training

1991-1992 Research Associate, Ben May Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
1988-1991 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Ben May Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Carcinogenesis, Science Park, Research Division (SPRD), The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (UT MDACC), Smithville, TX, 1996-2003

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Associate Director, Department of Health Disparities Research, Center for Research on Minority Health (CRMH), UT MDACC, Houston, TX, 2008-present
Co-Director, Environmental Health Research Career Development Program, NIEHS Center for Research on Environmental Disease, Smithville, TX, 2007-present
Course Director-Functional Histology, Graduate School fo Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) UT MDACC, Smithville, TX, 2007-present
Co-Director, Department of Health Disparities Research, Research, Education & Training Core, Project EXPORT - A Center of Excellence (PEACE), Center for Research on Minority Health (CRMH), Houston, TX, 2007-present
Faculty, Health Science Center, Reproductive Biology Track, Cell and Regulatory Biology Program, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 2003-present
Faculty, Department of Carcinogenesis, Environmental and Molecular Carcinogenesis Program/Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, UT MDACC, Smithville, TX, 1999-present
Director, Community Outreach and Education Core (COEC), NIEHS Center for Research on Environmental Disease, Smithville, TX, 1999-present

Other Appointments/Responsibilities

Member, COEC/COEP Advisory Board, Environmental Health and Toxicology Community Outreach and Education Program, NIEHS Southwest Environmental Health Science Center (SWEHSC), University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 2009-present
Member, Ad Hoc, Precollege Education Program Advisory Panel, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Chevy Chase, MD, 2009-present
Member, External Science Advisory Board (ESAB), NIEHS Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 2007-present
Member, External Science Advisory Board (ESAB), EHS Center in Molecular and Cellular Toxicology with Human Applications, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detriot, MI, 2003-present
Member, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), The University of Texas at Houston, Houston, TX, 1999-present

Consultantships

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) IXempra Advisors on Cancer Therapy (IXACT), New York, NY, 2/2009-2/2010
Eli Lilly & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1996-1997

Institutional Committee Activities

Member, Faculty Senate Education Subcommittee, 2009-present
Member, Advisory Board, The University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UPRCCC) and UT MDACC U54 "Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research", 2/2008-present
Member, Faculty Search Committee, Department of Carcinogenesis, 2008-present
Member, Planning Committee, UT MDACC, Education Strategy Retreat, 2/2007-4/2007
Member, Graduate Student Qualifying Exam Committee, GSBS Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, 2007-present
Member, Steering Committee, GSBS Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, 2007-present
Member, UT MDACC Faculty Senate, elected representative of the Department of Carcinogenesis, 2007-present
Member, SPRD, Information Resources Advisory Committee (IRAC), 2005-2007
Member, Academic Standards Committee, GSBS Environmental and Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, 2005-2007
Chair, SPRD, Summer Undergraduate Research Program Committee, 2000-present
Member, Graduate Admissions Committee, GSBS Environmental and Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, 2000-2005
Member, Advisory Committee, CCSG, Veterinary Support Facility, 1998-2001
Member, SPRD, Summer Undergraduate Research Program Committee, 1998-1999
Chair, Science Park Animal Resources and Facilities Advisory Committee (ARFAC), 1997-1999
Member, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), UT MDACC, 1997-1999

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. King DW, Miranda PY, Gor BJ, Fuchs-Young R, Chilton JA, Hajek RA, Torres-Vigil I, Hernandez MA, Snipes SA, Jones LA. Addressing cancer health disparities using a global "biopsychosocial" approach. Cancer Res. In Press.
2. Colbert LH, Westerlind KC, Perkins SN, Haines DC, Berrigan D, Donehower LA, Fuchs-Young R, Hursting SD. Exercise effects on tumorigenesis in a transgenic mouse model of breast cancer. Med Science Sports Exercise 41(8):1597-605, 8/2009. PMCID: PMCIn Process.
3. Shirley SH, Rundhaug JE, Tian J, Cullinan-Ammann N, Lambertz I, Conti CJ, Fuchs-Young R. Transcriptional regulation of estrogen receptor-alpha by p53 in human breast cancer cells. Cancer Res 69(8):3405-14, 4/2009. PMCID: PMCPMC-In Process.
4. Sullivan J, Parras B, St. Marie R, Subra W, Petronella S, Gorenstein J, Fuchs-Young R, Santa RK, Chavarria A, Ward J, and Diamond P. Public Talks and Science Listens: A community-based participatory approach to characterizing environmental health risk perceptions and assessing recovery needs in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Environmental Health Insighs 3:37-51, 3/2009.
5. de Ostrovich KK, Lambertz I, Colby JK, Tian J, Rundhaug JE, Johnston D, Conti CJ, DiGiovanni J, Fuchs-Young R. Paracrine overexpression of insulin-like growth factor-1 enhances mammary tumorigenesis in vivo. Am J Pathol 173(3):824-34, 9/2008. e-Pub 8/2008. PMCID: PMC2527085.
6. Yakar S, Nunez NP, Pennisi P, Brodt P, Sun H, Fallavollita L, Zhao H, Scavo L, Novosyadlyy R, Kurshan N, Stannard B, East-Palmer J, Smith NC, Perkins SN, Fuchs-Young R, Barrett JC, Hursting SD, LeRoith D. Increased tumor growth in mice with diet-induced obesity: impact of ovarian hormones. Endocrinology 147(12):5826-34, 12/2006. PMID: 16959846.
7. Benavides F, Gomez G, Venables-Griffith A, Lambertz I, Flores M, Angel JM, Fuchs-Young R, Richie ER, Conti CJ. Differential susceptibility to chemically induced thymic lymphomas in SENCARB and SSIN inbred mice. Mol Carcinog 45(7):543-8, 7/2006. PMID: 16479612.
8. Hodges LC, Houston KD, Hunter DS, Fuchs-Young R, Zhang ZM, Wineker RC, Walker CL. Transdominant suppression of estrogen receptor signaling by progesterone receptor ligands in uterine leiomyoma cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 196(1-2):11-20, 10/2002. PMID: 12385821.
9. Burroughs KD, Howe SR, Okubo Y, Fuchs-Young R, LeRoith D, Walker CL. Dysregulation of IGF-I signaling in uterine leiomyoma. J Endocrinol 172(1):83-93, 1/2002. PMID: 11786376.
10. Hodges LC, Hunter DS, Bergerson JS, Fuchs-Young R, Walker CL. An in vivo/in vitro model to assess endocrine disrupting activity of xenoestrogens in uterine leiomyoma. Ann N Y Acad Sci 948:100-11, 12/2001. PMID: 11795388.
11. Burroughs KD, Fuchs-Young R, Davis B, Walker CL. Altered hormonal responsiveness of proliferation and apoptosis during myometrial maturation and the development of uterine leiomyomas in the rat. Biol Reprod 63(5):1322-30, 11/2000. PMID: 11058535.
12. Gamage SD, Bischoff ED, Burroughs KD, Lamph WW, Gottardis MM, Walker CL, Fuchs-Young R. Efficacy of LGD1069 (Targretin), a retinoid X receptor-selective ligand, for treatment of uterine leiomyoma. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 295(2):677-81, 11/2000. PMID: 11046105.
13. Hunter DS, Hodges LC, Eagon PK, Vonier PM, Fuchs-Young R, Bergerson JS, Walker CL. Influence of exogenous estrogen receptor ligands on uterine leiomyoma: evidence from an in vitro/in vivo animal model for uterine fibroids. Environ Health Perspect 108(Suppl 5):829-34, 10/2000. PMID: 11035990.
14. Walker CL, Burroughs KD, Davis B, Sowell K, Everitt JI, Fuchs-Young R. Preclinical evidence for therapeutic efficacy of selective estrogen receptor modulators for uterine leiomyoma. J Soc Gynecol Investig 7(4):249-56, 8/2000. PMID: 10964025.
15. Hunter DS, Hodges LC, Vonier PM, Fuchs-Young R, Gottardis MM, Walker CL. Estrogen receptor activation via activation function 2 predicts agonism of xenoestrogens in normal and neoplastic cells of the uterine myometrium. Cancer Res 59(13):3090-9, 7/1999. PMID: 10397250.
16. Porter KB, Tsibris JC, Porter GW, Fuchs-Young R, Nicosia SV, O'Brien WF, Spellacy WN. Effects of raloxifene in a guinea pig model for leiomyomas. Am J Obstet Gynecol 179(5):1283-7, 1998. PMID: 9822517.
17. Burroughs KD, Kiguchi K, Howe SR, Fuchs-Young R, Trono D, Barrett JC, Walker C. Regulation of apoptosis in uterine leiomyomata. Endocrinology 138(7):3056-64, 7/1997. PMID: 9202252.
18. Hale LV, Layman NK, Wilson P, Short LL, Magee DE, Wightman SR, Fuchs-Young R. Rapid tumor development with a modified MCF-7 xenograft model. Lab Anim Sci 47(1):82-5, 2/1997. PMID: 9051652.
19. Fuchs-Young R, Howe S, Hale L, Miles R, Walker C. Inhibition of estrogen-stimulated growth of uterine leiomyomas by selective estrogen receptor modulators. Mol Carcinog 17(3):151-9, 11/1996. PMID: 8944075.
20. Fuchs-Young R, Glasebrook AL, Short LL, Draper MW, Rippy MK, Cole HW, Magee DE, Termine JD, Bryant HU. Raloxifene is a tissue-selective agonist/antagonist that functions through the estrogen receptor. Ann N Y Acad Sci 761:355-60, 6/1995. PMID: 7625735.
21. Tucker MS, Khan I, Fuchs-Young R, Price S, Steininger TL, Greene G, Wainer BH, Rosner MR. Localization of immunoreactive epidermal growth factor receptor in neonatal and adult rat hippocampus. Brain Res 631(1):65-71, 12/1993. PMID: 8298997.
22. Beckmann MW, Toney LJ, Scharl A, Fuchs-Young R, Greene GL, Holt JA. Detection of the HER-2/neu proto-oncogene protein p185erbB2 by a novel monoclonal antibody (MAB-145ww) in breast cancer membranes from oestrogen and progesterone receptor assays. Eur J Cancer 28(2-3):322-6, 1992. PMID: 1350453.
23. Bettuzzi S, Robinson A, Fuchs-Young R, Greene GL. Estrogen and progesterone receptor structure and action in breast cancer cells. Cancer Treat Res 61:301-15, 1992. PMID: 1360239.
24. Scharl A, Beckmann MW, Toney L, Fuchs-Young R, Greene GL, Holt JA. Detection of the oncoprotein p185 by a novel monoclonal antibody in breast cancer membranes from estrogen and progesterone receptor assays. Clinical and Scientific aspects of HER-2/neu/erbB-2, International Symposium, Hamburg:287-301, 1991.
25. Forbes J, Niblack G, Fuchs R, Richie R, Johnson H, Oldham RK. Human natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 11(2):139-45, 1981.
26. Tian J, Shirley SH, Lambertz I, DiGiovanni J, Fischer J, Conti C, and Fuchs-Young R. Chronic inflammation contributes to mammary tumorigenesis in the BK5.IGF-1 model. Submitted.
27. Tian J, Shirley SH, Lambertz I, Cullinan-Ammann N, Korach KS, Conti CJ, DiGiovanni J, Fuchs-Young R. Developmental stage affects estrogen receptor a levels and determines insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signal transduction pathways and epithelial proliferation in mammary glands. Submitted.
28. Fuchs-Young R, Lambertz I, Colby J, Johnston D, Donehower L, and Hursting SD. Evidence for co-regulated of estrogen receptor and p53 in mouse mammary tumors that respond to tamoxifen. Submitted.
29. Conti C, Lambertz I, Johanning G, Tian J, Shirley SH, and Fuchs-Young R. Mitochondrial mutations in mouse mammary tumors. Submitted.
30. Shirley, SH, Tian J, Conti C. Johnson D, and Fuchs-Young R. P53 mutants regulate estrogen receptor expression and response to antiestrogens in breast cancer cells. Submitted.

Invited Articles
1. Fuchs-Young R, Glasebrook AL, Short LL, Draper MW, Rippy MK, Cole HW, Magee DE, Termine JD, Bryant HU. Raloxifene is a tissue-selective agonist/antagonist that functions through the estrogen receptor. Ann N Y Acad Sci 761:355-60, 6/1995. PMID: 7625735.

Abstracts
1. Tian J, Shirley SH, Lambertz I, Cullinan-Ammann N, Korach KS, Conti CJ, DigGiovanni J, and Fuchs-Young R. Developmental stage affects estrogen receptor a levels and determines insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signal transduction pathways and epithelial proliferation in mammary glands. The Endocrine Society, 91st Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., 6/2009.
2. Shirley SH, Cullinan-Amman N, Tian J, Lambertz I, and Fuchs-Young R. Differential regulation of estrogen receptor alpha by wild type and mutant p53 in breast cancer cells. The Endocrine Society, 91st Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., 6/2009.
3. Tian J, Shirley SH, Lambertz I, Cullinan-Nmmann N, Rundhaug J, DiGiovanni J, and Fuchs-Young R. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) regulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) action in mammary glands in vivo. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 99th Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA., 4/2008.
4. Shirley SH, Rundhaug JE, Tian J, Cullinan-Ammann N, Lambertz I, Conti CJ, Fuchs-Young R. Transcriptional regulation of estrogen receptor-a by p53 in human breast cancer cells. 61st Annual Symposium on Cancer Research, "Systems Biology of Cancer", Houston, TX, 2008.
5. Sullivan J, St. Marie R, Fuchs-Young R, Gorenstein J, Diamond P. Hurricane readiness: A way of life on the bayous-assessing hazards and capacity to recover before the next storm. Am Public Health Association, 135th Annual Meeting & Exposition, Washington, DC, 11/2007.
6. Lambertz I, Shirley S, Cullinan-Ammann N, DiGiovanni J, Korach K, Fuchs-Young R. The role of ERα in mediating the effects of IGF-1 in the mouse mammary gland. The Endocrine Society, 89th Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, 6/2007.
7. Bergeron JM, Gorenstein JA, Rodriguez JT, Gimenez-Conti I, DiGiovanni J, Fuchs-Young R. Increased public understanding of environmental disease: Translating research findings into public policy. The State of Environmental Justice in America 2007 Conference; Howard University School of Law, 3/2007.
8. Shirley SH, Lambertz I, Fuchs-Young R. DNA-damaging agents induce estrogen receptor expression via a p53-dependent mechanism. The Endocrine Society, 89th Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, 2007.
9. Bergeron JM, Gorenstein JA, Rodriguez JT, Gimenez-Conti I, DiGiovanni J, Fuchs-Young R. Increased public understanding of environmental disease: Translating research findings into public policy. Politics, Policy and Public Health, American Public Health Association annual meeting, (APHA) 135th Annual Meeting & Exposition, Washington, DC, 2007.
10. Zicker A, Shirley S, Lambertz I, DiGiovanni J, Hursting S, Fuchs-Young R. Calorie restriction reduces tumor burden in transgenic mice overexpressing IGF-1. The Endocrine Society, 88th Annual Meeting, 2006.
11. Shirley SH, Lambertz I, Hursting S, Fuchs-Young R. Regulation of estrogen receptor by p53 in mammary cells and tumors. The San Antonio Breast Cancer Conference, 2006.
12. Shirley SH, Lambertz I, Colby J, Sanchez N, Fuchs-Young R. Coregulation of estrogen receptor and p53 in breast cancer cells. The Endocrine Society, 87th Annual Meeting, 6/2005.
13. Esparza A, Chilton J, Detry M, Fuchs-Young R, Gor B, Hajek R, Heggie J, Hernandez-Valero M, Hoang S, King D, Lewis A, Mondesire W, Regisford G, Jones L. Bridging the gap-addressing environmental health through science. Center for Research on Minority Health, U. T. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) Presented the Health Disparities Symposium, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 2005.
14. Shirley SH, Lambertz I, Sanchez N, Fuchs-Young R. Regulation of estrogen receptor by p53 in the mammary gland. UTMD Anderson Cancer Center, 2nd Annual Graduate Student Retreat, & 57th Annual Symposium on Fundamental Cancer Research, 2004.
15. de Ostrovich KK, Lambertz I, Colby J, Johnston D, Conti, C, DiGiovanni J, Fuchs-Young R. Role of paracrine insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) expression in mammary tumorigenesis. Am Assoc Cancer Res, 94th Annual Meeting, 2003.
16. Fuchs-Young R, Lambertz I, Colby J, Thompson H, Hursting S. Loss of p53 is associated with loss of estrogen receptor (ER) expression in mammary tumors from Wnt-1 transgenic mice. The Endocrine Society, 84th Annual Meeting, 2002.

Book Chapters
1. Fuchs-Young R. Preclinical studies of raloxifene and related compounds. In: Hormone Therapy in Breast and Prostate Cancer. Ed(s) Jordan, V.C. and Furr, B., eds. Humana Press Inc., 133-159, 2002.
2. Scharl A, Beckmann M, Toney L, Fuchs-Young R, Greene G, Holt J. Detection of the oncoprotein p185 by a novel monoclonal antibody in breast cancer membranes from estrogen and progesterone receptor assays. In: Clinical and Scientific Aspects of HER-2/neu/erbB-2, International Symposium. Ed(s) Jonat W, Loning T, 287-301, 1991.
3. Bettuzzi S, Robinson A, Fuchs-Young R, Greene GL. Estrogen and progesterone receptor structure and action in breast cancer cells. In: Genes Oncogenes and Hormones: Advances in Cellular and Molecular Biology of Breast Cancer. 61. Ed(s) Lippman ME, Dickson RB, 301-15, 1991.

Manuals, Teaching Aids, Other Teaching Publications
1. Fuchs-Young, et al. CENTIPEDe, Community Outreach and Education Program, Education resource, health promotion, scientific literacy information sharing for K-12 educators and communities, supported by the Precollege Education Program, HHMI, http://projectcentipede.org, 2009.
2. Fuchs-Young, et al. SCREAM, Community Outreach and Education Program, Student Cancer Research Evaluation and Assessment Module, web based curriculum enhancement for high school students., http://scream.mdanderson.org, 2004.
3. Fuchs-Young et al. veggie-mon, Community Outreach and Education Program, environmental health and science website for 3rd – 8th graders. Environmental health and science website for 3rd-8th graders, http://www.veggie-mon.org, 2001.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Project 2: Use of in vivo models to investigate genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the development of early onset breast cancer. (PENDING)
Funding Source: NIH/Several Reviews
Role: Project Leader
Principal Investigator: Jones, L.
Duration: 4/1/2010 - 5/31/2015
 
Title: Novel mechanisms of IGF-1 stimulated mammary tumorigenesis: Stem cells and Cox-2. (PENDING)
Funding Source: Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 3/1/2010 - 2/28/2014
 
Title: p53 regulates ER alpha expression in breast cancer cells: prognostic and therapeutic implications. (PENDING)
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 12/1/2009 - 11/30/2014
 
Title: MENTORS Project: Models of Educational Networking to Optimize Rural Science
Funding Source: NIH/NCRR
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/24/2009 - 8/31/2011
 
Title: MIDAS Project: Models of Implementation and Dissemination of Environment Health and Science Across Subjects; Administrative Supplement (PENDING)
Funding Source: NIH/NCRR
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/2009 - 8/31/2010
 
Title: Developmental animal models to investigate breast cancer health disparities
Funding Source: NIH/CRMH
Role: Pilot Project, PI
Principal Investigator: Jones, L.
Duration: 9/1/2009 - 8/31/2010
 
Title: EHS Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP); Administrative Supplement
Funding Source: NIH/NIEHS
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 6/1/2009 - 8/31/2011
 
Title: The Impact of Gestational and Postnatal Exposure on Metabolic Programming and Breast Cancer Risk
Funding Source: Department of Defense (DOD)
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/15/2008 - 10/14/2011
 
Title: EHS Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)
Funding Source: NIH/NIEHS
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 1/1/2008 - 11/30/2012
 
Title: Research Education and Training Component, Project EXPORT- A Center of Excellence, PEACE
Funding Source: NIH/CRMH
Role: Co-Director
Principal Investigator: Jones, L.
Duration: 9/1/2007 - 8/31/2012
 
Title: The CENTIPEDe (Community Education Networks To Integrate Prevention of Environmental Disease) Project.
Funding Source: Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/2007 - 8/31/2012
 
Title: Environmental Health Research Career Development Program, Center for Research on Environmental Disease (CRED), Mechanisms and Prevention of Environmental Disease
Funding Source: NIH/NIEHS
Role: Co-Director
Principal Investigator: DiGiovanni, J.
Duration: 4/1/2007 - 3/31/2012
 
Title: Environmental Health Research Career Development Program, Center for Research on Environmental Disease (CRED), Community Outreach and Education Core (COEC)
Funding Source: NIH/NIEHS
Role: Director
Principal Investigator: DiGiovanni, J.
Duration: 4/1/2007 - 3/31/2012
 
Title: Curbing Tobacco Use in Suburban and Rural Schools
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-PI
Principal Investigator: Prokhorov
Duration: 7/19/2006 - 6/30/2011
 
Title: IGF-1 signaling & ER Crosstalk in Mammary Cancer in vivo, (No Cost Extension 04/30/10)
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 6/1/2005 - 4/30/2009
 
Title: The MIDAS Project: Models of Implementation & Dissemination of EHS Across Subjects, (No Cost Extension 08/31/10)
Funding Source: NIH/NCRR
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/30/2003 - 8/31/2008

Last updated: 10/28/2009