Rama Soundararajan, PhD
Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Div
About Dr. Rama Soundararajan
Dr. Rama Soundararajan is an award-winning scientist and educator with 25+ years of biomedical research experience in academic and health-care industries. She is a Professor at the Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, Director of Educational Initiatives & Training, and Faculty Liaison to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Development at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is also member of the International Association of Medical Science Educators, and the American Association for Cancer Education.
Dr. Soundararajan has >20 years of experience in scientific leadership and management of research enterprises in various capacities. Her research expertise includes signal transduction, endocrine- and metabolic disorders, ion transport regulation, sodium- and glucose homeostasis, cancer stem-cells, tumor metastasis, cellular signaling specificity and cancer drug development. She has a strong publication record in high-impact peer-reviewed journals (150+ publications, abstracts, and presentations combined). She is the recipient of several national/international awards for outstanding scientific-research. Her current research interests are focused on understanding the fundamental biology that drives aggressive stem cell-enriched prostate cancers, and developing combination therapies to combat tumor progression.
As Director and Co-Founder of an advanced scientific training program for undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in translational medicine at MD Anderson [Interdisciplinary Translational Educational Research Training, ITERT program, founded in 2013], she has created and taught several STEM professional skills and career-development courses for learners in all career stages ranging from high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows to early career faculty and research staff. In her current roles at MD Anderson, she is responsible for providing strategic educational leadership which includes a vision for the scope, direction, objectives and processes for trainee career development in biomedical sciences. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards for her contribution to excellence in education, training and mentorship at the undergraduate-, graduate- and post-graduate level, including the President’s Faculty Excellence Award for Education and Mentorship Advancement, & the DPLM Faculty Excellence Award for Education at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Soundararajan completed her PhD from the Indian Institute of Science, and an Executive Leadership Certificate from Cornell University. She is also a CIMER-certified mentorship training facilitator.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology (TMP), Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (DPLM), Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Div, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Professor, Department of Programs: Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Cancer Biology; Department of GSBS Dean's Office, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center | UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Department of GSBS Dean’s Office, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center/University of Texas Health Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, Texas
Professor, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology (TMP), Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (DPLM), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Postgraduate Training
| 2024-2024 | Professor, Culture of Psychological Safety initiative; Leading Self: Practicing Psychological Safety Course, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2024-2024 | Professor, Research Education: International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) E6 Good Clinical Practice (GCP) v2 Version 2, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2023-2023 | Associate Professor, CIMER-Certified Mentorship Training Facilitator, CIMER Mentor Training Facilitation Certificate [Implementation of the CIMER “Entering Mentoring” evidence-based mentorship practices], University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI |
| 2023-2023 | Associate Professor, CSR NIH reviewer training courses: “Mitigating Bias in Peer Review”; “Review Integrity", National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD |
| 2022-2022 | Associate Professor, Raising Resilient Scientists - A five-part mentor training series [1. Communication and work styles, 2. Promoting trainee resilience, 3. Building inclusive research groups, 4. Feedback, conflict and difficult conversations, 5. Promoting trainee mental health and well-being], National Institutes of Health (NIH)-Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE), Bethesda, MD |
| 2022-2022 | Associate Professor, High Reliability Organization (HRO) training in Leader Skills and Universal Skills (Organizational Leadership Training), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2022-2022 | Associate Professor, Micro-credential course in inclusive teaching for equitable learning [Managing the Impact of Biases, Reducing Microaggressions in Learning Environments, Addressing Imposter Phenomenon and Stereotype Threat, Creating Inclusive Learning Environments, Designing Equity-Centered Courses], Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), Houston, Texas |
| 2022-2022 | Associate Professor, Capacity Building Mastermind – Facilitator Development Workshop [Certification: Implementation of validated mentorship education interventions], Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
| 2022-2023 | Associate Professor, Data Science Essentials Certification, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY |
| 2021-2021 | Associate Professor, Research Education: International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) E6 Good Clinical Practice (GCP) v2 Version 2, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2021-2021 | Associate Professor, Mentoring Works-Graduate Student Mentor Training Workshop, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center/University of Texas Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, Texas |
| 2018-2019 | Associate Professor, Executive Leadership Certificate [Leading collaborative teams; Leading with credibility; Strategic decision making; Quality and service excellence; Leading for creativity and innovation, Motivating for high performance, Leading strategic change initiatives, Coaching – Focus: Educational Leadership], Cornell University, Ithaca, NY |
| 2017-2017 | Assistant Professor, Mentorship Faculty Workshop-Fostering Scientific Careers with Individual Development Plans (IDPs), Dr. Philip Clifford (co-founder of myIDPcareers.org),, UT Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2016-2017 | Assistant Professor, ‘Heart of Leadership’ [Team Development, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Conflict Management, Coaching, Situational Leadership, Diversity], The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2015-2015 | Assistant Professor, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Signature Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Franklin-Covey, Houston, Texas |
| 2015-2015 | Assistant Professor, Leading Teams: Establishing Goals, Roles and Guidelines, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2015-2015 | Assistant Professor, Mentoring Effectively, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2015-2015 | Assistant Professor, Transitioning from Technical Professional to Management, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2015-2015 | Assistant Professor, Mentoring in an Interdisciplinary Context: Research Mentor Training Workshop for Faculty, Gulf Coast Consortia (GCC), Texas, Houston, Texas |
| 2015-2015 | Assistant Professor, Management Essentials: Delegating, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2007-2007 | Assistant Adjunct Professor, Scientific Leadership and Laboratory Management (Executive Course: Dr. Ed O’Neil) - Fellow to Faculty Transition Training, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA |
| 2004-2007 | Postdoctoral Fellow, Hormone signaling, Ion transport, Sodium homeostasis, Signal transduction, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA |
| 2003-2003 | Postdoctoral Fellow, Cellular Signal Transduction, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), Madras, TN |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Chair, Curriculum Committee, UT GSBS, Department of GSBS Dean's Office, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center/University of Texas Health Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, Texas, 2024 - Present
Faculty Lead, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - Present
Director-Educational Initiatives and Training, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2018 - Present
Faculty Liaison-The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Development (OPAD), Department of Division of Education and Training, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2018 - Present
Director, Founder and Program Instructor, Department of Interdisciplinary Translational Education and Research Training Core, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2018 - Present
Director, Founder and Program Instructor, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2013 - Present
Director and Co-Founder - ITERT Education and Training Core, Department of Interdisciplinary Translational Education and Research Training CORE (ITERT), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2013 - Present
Other Professional Positions
Member, CTSA Community of Practice to Advance Mentorship in Scientific Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 2023 - Present
Institutional Committee Activities
Chair, UT GSBS Curriculum Committee, 2024 - Present
Committee Member, Executive Committee, 2024 - Present
Interviewer, Interview Committee, Research Department Administrator, 2023 - 2024
Committee Member, CTSA Community of Practice to Advance Mentorship in Scientific Research, 2023 - Present
Committee Member, ITERT Director, DPLM Divisional Education and Training Strategic Working Group, 2023 - Present
Committee Member, UT GSBS Curriculum Committee, 2023 - Present
Chair, Faculty Mentorship Committee (Dr. Raso), 2022 - Present
Committee Member, Faculty Mentorship Committee (Dr. Solis-Soto), 2022 - Present
Judge and Reviewer, Institutional Trainee Research Day, 2021 - Present
Committee Member, DPLM Divisional Faculty Wellness Committee, 2021 - Present
Committee Member, DPLM Divisional Innovation and Improvement Committee, 2021 - 2023
Committee Member, Sub-committee: Postdoc Recruitment, 2021 - Present
Committee Member, Post-Doc Task Force-COVID, 2020 - 2021
Committee Member, Educator’s Forum, 2019 - 2021
Committee Member, Sustainable Ethics Educational Program Workgroup, 2019 - 2020
Committee Member, ITERT Director, Student and Trainee Leadership Committee, 2019 - 2020
Interviewer, Visitation Week, UT GSBS PhD Candidate Recruitment, 2019 - 2021
Committee Member, Postdoctoral Education Leadership Committee, 2018 - Present
Committee Member, Search Committee, Research Department Administrator, 2018 - Present
Committee Member/Stakeholder, Policy Administrator, 2018 - Present
Poster Judge, Therapeutics and Pharmacology Program Annual Research Retreat, 2018 - Present
Elected Faculty Member and Past-Chair, Post-Doctoral Advisory Committee (PDAC), 2017 - 2020
Committee Member, UT GSBS Graduate Student Thesis Committee, 2017 - Present
Poster Judge, TMP Annual Scientific Retreat, 2016 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2024 | Finalist, 2023-2024 Distinguished Faculty Mentor Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2024 | ITERT STEP Education and Training Grant, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2023 | MD Anderson Summer Experience Educational Grant, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2022 | Nominee, 2022 UT Regents Outstanding Teaching Award, UT Regents (Nomination via UT MD Anderson Cancer Center) |
| 2021 | Faculty Recognition Award for Excellence in Education, Division of Pathology and Lab Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2021 | President’s Faculty Recognition Award for Excellence in Education & Mentorship Advancement, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2019 | MD Anderson Institutional Research Grant Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2017 | Career Enhancement Program (CEP) award (Prostate Cancer SPORE), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX | NCI |
| 2017 | 'The Heart of Leadership': Faculty Leadership Program (By Invitation), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2017 | Johnson and Johnson's Women in STEM2D Scholars Award Nominee: Institutional Nominee for National Search, Johnson and Johnson's |
| 2017 | TEMTIA Research Presentation Award, The EMT International Association (TEMTIA) |
| 2016 | Faculty Educator Award - Jun 2016, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2012 | UCSF/REAC Junior Investigator's Award in Basic and Clinical/Translational Sciences, University of California San Francisco - Research Evaluation and Allocation Committee |
| 2010 | ASBMB Best Thematic Poster Award, American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) |
| 2009 | American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Award, National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDDK) |
| 2007 | NIH K01-Mentored Research Scientist Award, National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDDK) |
| 2005 | Best Young Investigator Award, International Aldosterone Conference |
| 2005 | Post-doctoral Research Fellowship, American Heart Association, Western States Affiliate, San Francisco, CA |
| 2001 | Prof. B.R. Seshachar Memorial Award, Indian Society of Cell Biology (PhD), Bangalore, KA, India |
| 2000 | Dr. A.S. Perumal Award, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, KA, India |
| 1998 | Gold Medal - Certificate of Merit, University of Madras, University of Madras, Madras, TN, India |
| 1998 | IISc Pre-doctoral Research Fellowship, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (PhD), Bangalore, KA, India |
| 1997 | UGC/CSIR National Scholarship for Graduate Studies, UGC/CSIR [University Grants Commission (UGC)/Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India |
| 1996 | Sri. S.R. Mundargi Memorial Prize, Bangalore University, Bangalore, KA, India |
| 1996 | Dr. B.D. Loaria Gold Medal; Prof. G.K. Narayana Reddy Award; Dr. D.S. Bharadwaj Gold Medal; Prof. M. Shadaksharaswamy Medal, Bangalore University (B.Sc.), Bangalore, KA, India |
| 1996 | Dr. C.B.S. Dixit Memorial Prize, Bangalore University (BSc), Bangalore, KA, India |
| 1996 | M.E.S. College Silver Jubilee Medal, Bangalore University (BSc), Bangalore, KA, India |
| 1996 | Rashtriya Sikshana Samiti Trust Award, Bangalore, India, SSMRV College, Bangalore University (B.Sc.), Bangalore, KA, India |
| 1996 | Rashtriya Sikshana Samiti Trust (RSST) University Rank Award, SSMRV College, Bangalore University, KA, India |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2024. ‘Intentional mentoring’: Key mentorship competencies for success in biomedical research. Invited. ITERT Mentor Training Workshop. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Defining a therapeutically-relevant molecular classification in Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancers (AVPCs) derived from cfDNA methylome. Invited. 2024 Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancer (AVPC) Research Retreat. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Career Strategies to Support New Postdocs and Junior Faculty. Invited. Artificial Intelligence-Pathology Group Meeting. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. ITERT Educational Initiatives to Support Institutional NCI-T32 Training Grants. Invited. MMO Faculty Meeting. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. ‘Intentional mentoring’: Key mentorship competencies for success in biomedical research. Invited. ITERT Mentor Training Workshop. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Defining a functional rubric to identify Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancers (AVPCs). Invited. T32 Training Grant Community Forum for Program Mentors and Mentees. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Genotype-to-Phenotype Associations in the Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancer (AVPC) Molecular Profile Components. Invited. 2021 Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancer (AVPC) Research Retreat. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Career paths in biomedical sciences. Invited. Career Development Symposium, ITERT Undergraduate Summer Research Program. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. Targeting EMT-signaling to treat therapy-resistance in neuroendocrine prostate cancers. Invited. UT MD Anderson Prostate Cancer SPORE Seminar Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. Aligning individual and organizational variables for a work-life balance. Invited. Interdisciplinary Translational Education and Research Training program: Work-Life Balance Seminar Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. Targeting EMT-signaling to counter therapy resistance in neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Poster. Prostate Cancer Moonshot Symposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. ENaC (Epithelial Sodium Channel) and the Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition/Cancer-Stem-Cell (EMT/CSC) archetype. Invited. Research Exchange Seminar Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2009. GILZ1, the 'ENaC-regulatory complex (ERC)' and epithelial sodium transport. Invited. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2009. GILZ (Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper protein) and epithelial sodium transport. Invited. Dean's Seminar Series. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2008. GILZ (Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper protein) and its role in sodium transport. Invited. Renal Research Conference. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2006. Novel modes of dis-inhibition of sodium transport: A role for GILZ in ENaC regulation. Invited. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2004. A role for Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper protein (GILZ) in ENaC-mediated Na+ transport. Poster. Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Research Retreat, University of California San Francisco. Granlibakken, North Lake Tahoe, CA, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2021. Navigating the academic track in basic/translational cancer science: Development of a defined curriculum to demystify the process. Invited. Texas Educator’s Academies Collaborative for Health Professions Southeast Educational Symposium (TEACH-S Educational Symposium). Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. GSK3β regulates epithelial-mesenchymal-transition and cancer stem cell properties in triple-negative breast cancer. Poster. Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT): Innovations Conference. Austin, Texas, US.
- 2009. Molecular determinants of distal nephron sodium transport: The role of GILZ and the 'ENaC-regulatory complex'. Invited. The 28th Annual Meeting of the West Coast Salt & Water Club. Morro Bay, CA, US.
- 2002. Biochemical basis of hormone action - GnRH and estradiol. Invited. Regional Meeting of the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India. Bangalore, KA, IN.
National Presentations
- 2024. A formalized course to prepare postdocs on securing and executing a faculty position in biomedical research. Invited. 2024 National Postdoc Association (NPA) Annual Conference. Seattle, WA, US.
International Presentations
- 2021. Putting your best foot forward – Strategies for effective communication in science. Invited. Mumbai, IN.
- 2021. Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancers: What are they, and what are critical considerations in designing targeted therapies for this subset of tumors?. Invited. "Biowaves-New Age Medicine”, International symposium, Indian National Science Day 2021. Mumbai, IN.
- 2020. Developing therapeutic strategies for aggressive variant prostate cancers. Invited. International conference: “Phenotypic heterogeneity as a driver of cancer progression”. Bangalore, IN.
- 2020. Role of stemness in cancer metastasis. Invited. Chennai, IN.
- 2019. Inhibiting cancer stem cell functions in neuroendocrine prostate carcinomas. Invited. International Symposium on Stem Cells and Cancer-India 2019. Mumbai, IN.
- 2019. Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancers (AVPC) and p38 signaling. Invited. Chennai, IN.
- 2017. Cancer stem-cells and neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancers: What’s the connection?. Invited. The 8th Annual Meeting of The EMT International Association (TEMTIA VIII). Houston, US.
- 2017. Modulating a cancer stem cell-specific signaling pathway to reverse the course of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Poster. The AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics. Philadelphia, US.
- 2017. Role of ion transport in cellular migration and cancer stemness. Invited. Chennai, IN.
- 2016. EMT-Mediated Cellular Plasticity Fuels Therapy-Resistance in Variant Prostate Cancers. Invited. Chennai, IN.
- 2015. Immune regulation of EMT and metastatic competence in breast tumor progression. Poster. The Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival (AACR). New York City, US.
- 2015. Hormonal Regulation of Hypertension and its Interconnections with the Cancer Stem-Cell Phenotype. Invited. Bangalore, IN.
- 2015. Critical Strategies for Postdoc and New Faculty Success in Science and Academia. Invited. Bangalore, IN.
- 2015. Na+ transport and its contribution to the tumor phenotype. Invited. Chennai, IN.
- 2015. Prostate Cancer Stem Cells, Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancers and FOXC2. Invited. Apollo Cancer Center-MD Anderson Collaboration Meeting. Chennai, IN.
- 2011. CNK3 and the ENaC-regulatory complex. Invited. The 7th International Symposium on Aldosterone and ENaC/Degenerin Family of Ion Channels: Molecular Mechanisms and Pathophysiology. Asilomar, US.
- 2009. Molecular players of aldosterone action: A role for GILZ and the 'ENaC-regulatory complex' in modulating distal nephron sodium transport. Poster. The 35th Annual Meeting of the International Aldosterone Conference. Washington DC, US.
- 2008. Mechanistic insights into ENaC regulation directed by GILZ: Subcellular localization of Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper protein 1 (GILZ1). Invited. The 34th Annual Meeting of the International Aldosterone Conference. San Francisco, US.
- 2008. Regulation of gene expression by estrogen in the epididymides of the ERaKO mouse and estrogen receptor antagonist (ICI 182780)-treated Macaca radiata (bonnet monkey). Poster. The 90th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2008). San Francisco, US.
- 2007. Signaling pathways that regulate ENaC-mediated Na+ transport. Poster. The 6th International Symposium on 'Aldosterone and ENaC: from gene to disease'. Zermatt, CH.
- 2007. Aldosterone-induced spatio-temporal expression of GILZ in mammalian kidney epithelial cells (mpkCCD C14). Poster. The 6th International Symposium on 'Aldosterone and ENaC: from gene to disease'. Zermatt, CH.
- 2005. Regulation of ENaC-mediated sodium transport by Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper protein (GILZ). Invited. The 31st Annual Meeting of the International Aldosterone Conference. San Diego, US.
- 2002. Insights into cellular differentiation - a study using human trophoblast cells. Invited. International Symposium on Molecular Endocrinology and Cellular Signals. Kolkata, IN.
- 2002. Regulation of trophoblast telomerase: A multi-functional role for TGF B1. Poster. The 84th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2002). San Francisco, US.
- 2002. The human placenta: A model to study regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Poster. NCBS International Symposium on Cancer and Cell Death. Bangalore, IN.
- 2000. Regulation of telomerase during human placental differentiation: A role for TGFβ1. Invited. The International Congress on Fertilization, Embryo Development and Implantation. New Delhi, IN.
Formal Peers
- 2024. Mentoring Works - A mentor training workshop for all UT GSBS faculty. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. ‘Intentional mentoring’: Key mentorship competencies for success in biomedical research (A mentor training workshop for all lab-based mentors). Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. The NCI T32: Scripting a Successful Application. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Bridging the Career-Preparedness Gap in Trainees: Educational Opportunities (T32 Community Forum Lecture). Houston, Texas, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - 2030 |
| Title: | Integrated epigenome analyses of cell-free DNA in advanced prostate cancer |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2024 - 2027 |
| Title: | Integrated Cell-Free DNA Analytics for Precision Prostate Cancer Management |
| Funding Source: | Department of Defense, PCRP-Idea Development Award |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | ITERT-STEP Education and Training Grant for Undergraduate STEM Research Program |
| Funding Source: | UT MDACC |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | Translational Genomics and Precision Medicine in Cancer |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Mentor |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | Defining lineage plasticity in aggressive prostate cancer through the lens of DNA methylation |
| Funding Source: | William F Bowes Foundation Research Award |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Effects of Arginine Depletion Combined with Platinum-Taxane Chemotherapy in Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancers (AVPC) |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2023 - 2024 |
| Title: | Linking One-Carbon Metabolism to Lineage Promiscuity in Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancers (AVPC) |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Prostate Cancer Moonshot |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2023 - 2024 |
| Title: | ITERT Summer Undergraduate Research Program [Summer Experience Program Grant] |
| Funding Source: | UT MDACC |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Remodeling the tumor and the immune microenvironment to eliminate therapy-resistant triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-Investigator (Project 3) and Lead Scientific Liaison (Administrative Core) |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Building an Organized Curricular Structure for Retention of Talent in the STEM Research Workforce |
| Funding Source: | National Science Foundation |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | The ITERT Education and Training Core |
| Funding Source: | UT MDACC Fundraising |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Regulation of Cellular Stemness during the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) |
| Funding Source: | National Science Foundation |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2022 - Present |
| Title: | Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancer (AVPC) Umbrella Program |
| Funding Source: | UT MDACC |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2022 - Present |
| Title: | Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Stromal Reprograming ConSortium COordination, Data Management and Education Center (PASSCODE), and Pancreatic Cancer Stromal Reprogramming Consortium (PSRC) |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2022 - Present |
| Title: | An integrated genomic definition and therapeutic strategy for androgen indifferent prostate cancers |
| Funding Source: | Department of Defense |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2022 - 2024 |
| Title: | Targeting EMT and Stemness in Aggressive Cancers |
| Funding Source: | William F Bowes Foundation Research Award |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2022 - Present |
| Title: | Functional biomaterials to elucidate fibrotic processes dictating abdominal adhesion |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2022 - Present |
| Title: | Systems Biology Approach to Elucidate the Reprogramming of the Immune Tumor Microenvironment by Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2022 - 2022 |
| Title: | Vimentin Phospho-Malleability is Critical for Maintaining Stemness and Metastatic Properties** (**grant transferred to Brown University in 11/2022) |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2022 - Present |
| Title: | Targeting the Metabolic and Immune Vulnerabilities of Dormant Breast Cancer Stem Cells |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-Investigator (Project 2) and Lead Scientific Liaison (Administrative Core) |
| Date: | 2021 - 2022 |
| Title: | Systems Biology Approach to Elucidate the Reprogramming of the Immune Tumor Microenvironment by Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Institutional Bridge Funding Award |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2020 - Present |
| Title: | Optimization of Strategies that Target the PI3K/Akt/mTOR (PAM) Pathway in Triple Negative Breast Cancer |
| Funding Source: | DoD |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2019 - 2022 |
| Title: | Remodeling the Tumor and the Immune Microenvironment to Impact Chemo-resistant Triple-Negative Breast Cancers Multidisciplinary Research Program |
| Funding Source: | UT MDACC - National Institutes of Health (5P30CA016672) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2019 - 2023 |
| Title: | Targeting Cancer Stem Cells in Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancers |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Institutional Research Grant Award, |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2018 - Present |
| Title: | Faculty Liaison, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Development, Division and Education and Training |
| Funding Source: | UT MDACC |
| Role: | Key |
| Date: | 2018 - 2022 |
| Title: | Pleiotropic functions of FOXC2 in EMT, stem cells and breast cancer progression** (**grant transferred to Brown University in 11/2022) |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2018 - Present |
| Title: | Targeting Cancer Stem Cells in Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancers (AVPC): Translating Biology into Therapy |
| Funding Source: | Emerson Collective Cancer Research Award |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2018 - Present |
| Title: | Corroboration of the links between EMT and stem cell properties in patient-derived neuroendocrine prostate cancer |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2018 - Present |
| Title: | Understanding the role of EMT in normal prostate stem-cell functions |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Institutional Research Grant |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2018 - Present |
| Title: | Fluorescent small molecule probes for EMT in cancer |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2018 - 2024 |
| Title: | Translational Genomics and Precision Medicine in Cancer |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Mentor |
| Date: | 2018 - Present |
| Title: | Targeting Cancer Stem Cells in Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancers |
| Funding Source: | STEM2D Johnson & Johnson’s Women’s Scholar Award |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2017 - 2021 |
| Title: | Targeting Therapy Resistance using Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Pathways in Preclinical Claudin-Low Breast Cancer Models, |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)-IIRA |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2017 - 2019 |
| Title: | Targeting EMT-signaling to treat therapy-resistance in neuroendocrine prostate cancers |
| Funding Source: | UT MDACC - National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Principal Investigator (CEP) |
| Date: | 2017 - 2023 |
| Title: | Preclinical characterization of EMT/CSC-specific small molecule inhibitors for TNBCs |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2016 - 2022 |
| Title: | A randomized clinical trial platform with translational studies to overcome resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) Project 3 |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)-MIRA |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2016 - 2023 |
| Title: | Spatial Patterning in the Progressing Tumor - The Role of Notch |
| Funding Source: | National Science Foundation |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2012 - 2012 |
| Title: | Role of GILZ1 in the regulation of blood pressure and glucose metabolism |
| Funding Source: | University of California San Francisco (UCSF) - Research Evaluation and Allocation Committee (REAC) |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2009 - 2010 |
| Title: | The functional role of GILZ in epithelial sodium transport |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health (NIDDK) |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2007 - 2012 |
| Title: | The functional role of GILZ in epithelial sodium transport |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2005 - 2007 |
| Title: | The role of GILZ protein in regulating sodium transport in renal epithelial cells |
| Funding Source: | American Heart Association |
| Role: | PI |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Castaneda, M, Den Hollander, P, Werden, SJ, Ramirez-Peña, E, Vasaikar, S, Kuburich, NA, Gould, C, Soundararajan, R, Mani, S. β-Catenin Drives the FOXC2-Mediated Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Acquisition of Stem Cell Properties. Cancers 17(7), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40227590.
- Perez-Oquendo, M, Romano, G, Farris, D, Gandhi, VV, Wistuba, II, Tillman, RE, Udan, R, Mangahas, P, Soundararajan, R. A structured curriculum supporting biomedical trainees’ transition into independent academic positions and early career success. BMC Medical Education 24(1), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38589919.
- Aparicio, A, Tidwell, RS, Yadav, SS, Chen, JS, Zhang, M, Liu, J, Guo, S, Pilie, PG, Yu, Y, Song, X, Vundavilli, H, Jindal, S, Zhu, K, Viscuse, PV, Lebenthal, J, Hahn, AW, Soundararajan, R, Corn, P, Zurita-Saavedra, A, Subudhi, SK, Zhang, J, Wang, W, Huff, C, Troncoso, P, Allison, JP, Sharma, P, Logothetis, CJ. A Modular Trial of Androgen Signaling Inhibitor Combinations Testing a Risk-Adapted Strategy in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Clinical Cancer Research 30(13):2751-2763, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38683200.
- Petralia, F, Ma, W, Yaron, TM, Caruso, FP, Tignor, N, Wang, JM, Charytonowicz, D, Johnson, JL, Huntsman, E, Marino, GB, Calinawan, A, Evangelista, JE, Selvan, ME, Chowdhury, S, Rykunov, D, Krek, A, Song, X, Turhan, B, Christianson, KE, Lewis, DA, Deng, EZ, Clarke, DJ, Whiteaker, J, Kennedy, J, Zhao, L, Segura Lazcano, R, Batra, H, Raso, G, Parra Cuentas, ER, Soundararajan, R, Tang, X, Li, Y, Yi, X, Satpathy, S, Wang, Y, Wiznerowicz, M, Gonzalez-Robles, T, Iavarone, A, Gosline, SJ, Reva, B, Robles, AI, Nesvizhskii, AI, Mani, DR, Gillette, MA, Klein, RJ, Cieślik, M, Zhang, B, Paulovich, AG, Sebra, R, Gumus, ZH, Hostetter, G, Fenyo, D, Omenn, GS, Cantley, LC, Ma'ayan, A, Lazar, AJ, Ceccarelli, M, Wang, P, Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium. Pan-cancer proteogenomics characterization of tumor immunity. Cell 187(5):1255-1277.e27, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38359819.
- Kuburich, NA, Den Hollander, P, Castaneda, M, Pietilae, MP, Tang, X, Batra, H, Martínez-Peña, F, Visal, TH, Zhou, T, Demestichas, BR, Dontula, RV, Liu, JY, Maddela, JJ, Padmanabhan, RS, Phi, LH, Rosolen, MJ, Sabapathy, T, Kumar, D, Giancotti, FG, Lairson, LL, Raso, G, Soundararajan, R, Mani, S. Stabilizing vimentin phosphorylation inhibits stem-like cell properties and metastasis of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal carcinomas. Cell Reports 42(12), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37979166.
- Viscuse, PV, Slack Tidwell, RS, Zhang, M, Rohra, P, Zhu, K, San Lucas, FA, Konnick, E, Pilie, PG, Siddiqui, BA, Logothetis, CJ, Corn, P, Subudhi, SK, Pritchard, CC, Soundararajan, R, Aparicio, A. Evaluation of the Aggressive-Variant Prostate Cancer Molecular Signature in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Environments. Cancers 15(24), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38136389.
- Soundararajan, R, Viscuse, PV, Pilie, PG, Liu, J, Logotheti, S, Laberiano Fernandez, C, Lorenzini, D, Hoang, A, Lu, W, Solis Soto, LM, Wistuba, II, Xu, M, Song, X, Shepherd, P, Navone, NM, Tidwell, R, Lozano, G, Logothetis, CJ, Zhang, J, Long, JP, Estecio, MR, Tzelepi, V, Aparicio, A. Genotype-to-Phenotype Associations in the Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancer Molecular Profile (AVPC-m) Components. Cancers 14(13):3233, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35805010.
- Balcik-Ercin, P, Cayrefourcq, L, Soundararajan, R, Mani, S, Alix-Panabières, C. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity in circulating tumor cell lines sequentially derived from a patient with colorectal cancer. Cancers 13(21):5408, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34771571.
- Satpathy, S, Krug, K, Jean Beltran, PM, Savage, SR, Petralia, F, Kumar-Sinha, C, Dou, Y, Reva, B, Kane, MH, Avanessian, SC, Vasaikar, S, Krek, A, Lei, JT, Jaehnig, EJ, Omelchenko, T, Geffen, Y, Bergstrom, EJ, Stathias, V, Christianson, KE, Heiman, DI, Cieślik, M, Cao, S, Song, X, Ji, J, Liu, W, Li, K, Wen, B, Li, Y, Gümüş, ZH, Selvan, ME, Soundararajan, R, Visal, TH, Raso, G, Parra Cuentas, ER, Babur, Ö, Vats, P, Anand, S, Schraink, T, Cornwell, MI, Rodrigues, FM, Zhu, H, Mo, CK, Zhang, Y, da Veiga Leprevost, F, Huang, C, Chinnaiyan, AM, Wyczalkowski, MA, Omenn, GS, Newton, C, Schurer, S, Ruggles, KV, Fenyo, D, Jewell, SD, Thiagarajan, M, Mesri, M, Rodriguez, H, Mani, SA, Udeshi, ND, Getz, G, Suh, J, Li, QK, Hostetter, G, Paik, PK, Dhanasekaran, SM, Govindan, R, Ding, L, Robles, AI, Clauser, KR, Nesvizhskii, AI, Wang, P, Carr, SA, Zhang, B, Mani, DR, Gillette, MA, Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium. A proteogenomic portrait of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Cell 184(16):4348-4371.e40, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34358469.
- Joseph, R, Soundararajan, R, Vasaikar, S, Yang, F, Allton, K, Tian, L, Den Hollander, P, Isgandarova, S, Haemmerle, M, Mino, B, Zhou, T, Shin, C, Martinez Paniagua, M, Sahin, AA, Rodriguez Canales, J, Gelovani, J, Chang, JT, Acharya, G, Sood, AK, Wistuba, II, Gibbons, DL, Solis Soto, LM, Barton, M, Varadarajan, N, Rosen, JM, Zhang, XH, Mani, S. CD8+ T cells inhibit metastasis and CXCL4 regulates its function. British journal of cancer 125(2):176-189, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33795809.
- Deshmukh, A, Vasaikar, S, Tomczak, K, Tripathi, S, Den Hollander, P, Arslan, E, Chakraborty, P, Soundararajan, R, Jolly, MK, Rai, K, Levine, H, Mani, S. Identification of EMT signaling cross-talk and gene regulatory networks by single-cell RNA sequencing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 118(19):e2102050118, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33941680.
- Vasaikar, S, Deshmukh, A, Den Hollander, P, Addanki, S, Kuburich, NA, Kudaravalli, S, Joseph, R, Chang, JT, Soundararajan, R, Mani, S. EMTome: a resource for pan-cancer analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes and signatures. British journal of cancer 124(1):259-269, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33299129.
- Ramirez-Peña, E, Arnold, JM, Shivakumar, V, Joseph, R, Vijay, GV, Den Hollander, P, Bhangre, NA, Allegakoen, P, Prasad, R, Conley, Z, Matés, JM, Márquez, J, Chang, JT, Vasaikar, S, Soundararajan, R, Sreekumar, A, Mani, S. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition promotes glutamine independence by suppressing GLS2 expression. Cancers 11(10):1610, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31652551.
- Vijay, GV, Zhao, N, Den Hollander, P, Toneff, M, Joseph, R, Pietilae, MP, Taube, J, Roysarkar, T, Ramirez-Peña, E, Werden, SJ, Shariati, M, Gao, R, Sobieski, M, Stephan, C, Sphyris, N, Miura, N, Davies, P, Chang, JT, Soundararajan, R, Rosen, JM, Mani, S. GSK3β regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell properties in triple-negative breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research 21(1):37, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30845991.
- Bollong, MJ, Pietilae, MP, Pearson, AD, Roysarkar, T, Ahmad, I, Soundararajan, R, Lyssiotis, CA, Mani, S, Schultz, PG, Lairson, LL. A vimentin binding small molecule leads to mitotic disruption in mesenchymal cancers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 114(46):E9903-E9912, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29087350.
- Taube, J, Sphyris, N, Johnson, KS, Reisenauer, KN, Nesbit, TA, Joseph, R, Vijay, GV, Roysarkar, T, Bhangre, NA, Song, JJ, Chang, JT, Lee, MG, Soundararajan, R, Mani, S. The H3K27me3-demethylase KDM6A is suppressed in breast cancer stem-like cells, and enables the resolution of bivalency during the mesenchymal-epithelial transition. Oncotarget 8(39):65548-65565, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29029452.
- Paranjape, AN, Soundararajan, R, Werden, SJ, Joseph, R, Taube, J, Liu, HC, Rodriguez Canales, J, Sphyris, N, Wistuba, II, Miura, N, Dhillon, J, Mahajan, N, Mahajan, K, Chang, JT, Ittmann, MM, Maity, S, Logothetis, CJ, Tang, DG, Mani, S. Inhibition of FOXC2 restores epithelial phenotype and drug sensitivity in prostate cancer cells with stem-cell properties. Oncogene 35(46):5963-5976, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26804168.
- Werden, SJ, Sphyris, N, Roysarkar, T, Paranjape, AN, Labaff, AM, Taube, J, Hollier, BG, Ramirez-Peña, E, Soundararajan, R, Den Hollander, P, Powell, E, Echeverria, GV, Miura, N, Chang, JT, Piwnica-Worms, H, Rosen, JM, Mani, S. Phosphorylation of serine 367 of FOXC2 by p38 regulates ZEB1 and breast cancer metastasis, without impacting primary tumor growth. Oncogene 35(46):5977-5988, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27292262.
- Pietilae, MP, Vijay, GV, Soundararajan, R, Yu, X, Symmans, WF, Sphyris, N, Mani, S. FOXC2 regulates the G2/M transition of stem cell-rich breast cancer cells and sensitizes them to PLK1 inhibition. Scientific reports 6:23070, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27064522.
- Soundararajan, R, Paranjape, AN, Barsan, V, Chang, JT, Mani, S. A novel embryonic plasticity gene signature that predicts metastatic competence and clinical outcome. Scientific reports 5:11766, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26123483.
- Soundararajan, R, Ziera, T, Koo, E, Ling, K, Wang, J, Borden, SA, Pearce, D. Scaffold protein connector enhancer of kinase suppressor of Ras isoform 3 (CNK3) coordinates assembly of a multiprotein epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)-regulatory complex. Journal of Biological Chemistry 287(39):33014-33025, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22851176.
- Suarez, PE, Rodriguez, EG, Soundararajan, R, Mérillat, AM, Stehle, JC, Rotman, S, Roger, T, Voirol, MJ, Wang, J, Groß, O, Pétrilli, V, Nadra, K, Wilson, A, Beermann, F, Pralong, FP, Maillard, M, Pearce, D, Chrast, R, Rossier, BC, Hummler, E. The glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (Gilz/Tsc22d3-2) gene locus plays a crucial role in male fertility. Molecular Endocrinology 26(6):1000-1013, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22556341.
- Soundararajan, R, Wang, J, Melters, D, Pearce, D. Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper 1 stimulates the epithelial sodium channel by regulating serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 stability and subcellular localization. Journal of Biological Chemistry 285(51):39905-39913, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20947508.
- Neelima, PS, Rao Rekha, M, Soundararajan, R, Rao, AJ. Effect of human telomerase reverse transcriptase transfection on differentiation in BeWo choriocarcinoma cells. Reproductive BioMedicine Online 18(6):838-849, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19490790.
- Soundararajan, R, Melters, D, Shih, IC, Wang, J, Pearce, D. Epithelial sodium channel regulated by differential composition of a signaling complex. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 106(19):7804-7809, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19380724.
- Soundararajan, R, Wang, J, Melters, D, Pearce, D. Differential activities of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper protein isoforms. Journal of Biological Chemistry 282(50):36303-36313, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17956870.
- Pao, AC, McCormick, JA, Li, H, Siu, J, Govaerts, C, Bhalla, V, Soundararajan, R, Pearce, D. NH2 terminus of serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 binds to phosphoinositides and is essential for isoform-specific physiological functions. American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology 292(6):F1741-F1750, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17356130.
- Yashwanth, R, Soundararajan, R, Anbalagan, M, Rao, AJ. Role of estrogen in regulation of cellular differentiation. Molecular and cellular endocrinology 246(1-2):114-120, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16413111.
- Soundararajan, R, Zhang, TT, Wang, J, Vandewalle, A, Pearce, D. A novel role for glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper protein in epithelial sodium channel-mediated sodium transport. Journal of Biological Chemistry 280(48):39970-39981, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16216878.
- Shayu, D, Kesava, CC, Soundararajan, R, Rao, AJ. Effects of ICI 182780 on estrogen receptor expression, fluid absorption and sperm motility in the epididymis of the bonnet monkey. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 3:10, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 15743524.
- Soundararajan, R, Petrusz, P, Rao, AJ. Hormonal regulation of human trophoblast differentiation: A possible role for 17β-estradiol and GnRH. Molecular and cellular endocrinology 218(1-2):79-94, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15130513.
- Hamil, KG, Liu, Q, Sivashanmugam, P, Anbalagan, M, Yenugu, S, Soundararajan, R, Grossman, G, Rao, AJ, Birse, CE, Ruben, SM, Richardson, RT, Zhang, YL, O'Rand, MG, Petrusz, P, French, FS, Hall, SH. LCN6, a novel human epididymal lipocalin. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 1:112, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 14617364.
- Rao, RM, Soundararajan, R, Rao, AJ. Changes in T-plastin expression with human trophoblast differentiation. Reproductive BioMedicine Online 7(2):235-242, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 14567899.
- Soundararajan, R, Suresh, Y, Rao, AJ. TGF β1 induces multiple independent signals to regulate human trophoblastic differentiation. Molecular and cellular endocrinology 206(1-2):123-136, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 12943995.
- Hamil, KG, Liu, Q, Sivashanmugam, P, Yenugu, S, Soundararajan, R, Grossman, G, Richardson, RT, Zhang, YL, O'Rand, MG, Petrusz, P, French, FS, Hall, SH. Cystatin 11: A new member of the cystatin type 2 family. Endocrinology 143(7):2787-2796, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12072414.
- Soundararajan, R, Suresh, Y, Rao, AJ. Regulation of telomerase during human placental differentiation. Molecular and cellular endocrinology 182(2):233-248, 2001. e-Pub 2001. PMID: 11514058.
- Liu, Q, Hamil, KG, Sivashanmugam, P, Grossman, G, Soundararajan, R, Rao, AJ, Richardson, RT, Zhang, YL, O'Rand, MG, Petrusz, P, French, FS, Hall, SH. Primate epididymis-specific proteins: Characterization of ESC42, a novel protein containing a trefoil-like motif in monkey and human. Endocrinology 142(10):4529-4539, 2001. e-Pub 2001. PMID: 11564719.
Review Articles
- Logotheti, S, Papadaki, E, Zolota, V, Logothetis, CJ, Vrahatis, AG, Soundararajan, R, Tzelepi, V. Lineage Plasticity and Stemness Phenotypes in Prostate Cancer. Cancers 15(17), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37686633.
- Bushnell, GG, Deshmukh, A, Den Hollander, P, Luo, M, Soundararajan, R, Jia, D, Levine, H, Mani, S, Wicha, MS. Breast cancer dormancy: need for clinically relevant models to address current gaps in knowledge. npj Breast Cancer 7(1):66, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34050189.
- Soundararajan, R, Fradette, JJ, Konen, JM, Moulder, S, Zhang, X, Gibbons, DL, Varadarajan, N, Wistuba, II, Tripathy, D, Bernatchez, C, Byers, LA, Chang, JT, Contreras, A, Lim, B, Parra Cuentas, ER, Roarty, EB, Wang, J, Yang, F, Barton, M, Rosen, JM, Mani, S. Targeting the interplay between epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition and the immune system for effective immunotherapy. Cancers 11(5):714, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31137625.
- Soundararajan, R, Paranjape, AN, Maity, S, Aparicio, A, Mani, S. EMT, stemness and tumor plasticity in aggressive variant neuroendocrine prostate cancers. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Reviews on Cancer 1870(2):229-238, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29981816.
- Soundararajan R, Aparicio AM, Logothetis CJ, Mani SA, Maity SN. Function of Tumor Suppressors in Resistance to Antiandrogen Therapy and Luminal Epithelial Plasticity of Aggressive Variant Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancers. Front Oncol 8:69, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29600194.
- Pearce, D, Soundararajan, R, Trimpert, C, Kashlan, OB, Deen, PM, Kohan, DE. Collecting duct principal cell transport processes and their regulation. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 10(1):135-146, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 24875192.
- Soundararajan, R, Lu, M, Pearce, D. Organization of the ENaC-regulatory machinery. Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 47(4):349-359, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22506713.
- Soundararajan, R, Pearce, D, Ziera, T. The role of the ENaC-regulatory complex in aldosterone-mediated sodium transport. Molecular and cellular endocrinology 350(2):242-247, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22101317.
- Soundararajan R, Pearce D, Hughey RP, Kleyman TR. Role of epithelial sodium channels and their regulators in hypertension. J Biol Chem 285(40):30363-9, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20624922.
- Bhalla, V, Soundararajan, R, Pao, AC, Li, H, Pearce, D. Disinhibitory pathways for control of sodium transport. American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology 291(4):F714-F721, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16720863.
- Soundararajan, R, Rao, AJ. Trophoblast 'pseudo-tumorigenesis': Significance and contributory factors. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2:15, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15043753.
- Soundararajan, R, Rao, AJ. Regulation of growth and function of the human placenta. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry 253(1-2):263-268, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 14619978.
- Soundararajan, R, Rao, AJ. Embryo implantation and GnRH antagonists: The search for the human placental GnRH receptor. Human Reproduction 16(2):201-205, 2001. e-Pub 2001. PMID: 11157806.
Professional Educational Materials
- Soundararajan R. A structured curriculum supporting biomedical trainees' transition into independent academic positions and early career success. BMC Medical Education, 2024.
Abstracts
- Soundararajan R, Paranjape A, Joseph R, Hollander PD, Bhangre N, Aparicio A, Maity S, Logothetis C, Chang J, Mani S. Cancer stem-cells and neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancers: What’s the connection?. The 8th International EMT Meeting (TEMTIA VIII), Houston, TX, 12/2017, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Soundararajan R, Paranjape A, Joseph R, Bhangre N, Aparicio A, Maity S, Logothetis C, Chang J, Mani S. Targeting EMT-signaling to counter therapy resistance in neuroendocrine prostate cancer. MD Anderson Prostate Cancer Moonshot Symposium 2017, Houston, TX, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Soundararajan R, Vijay G, Toneff M, Chang J, Rosen J, Mani S. GSK3β regulates epithelial-mesenchymal-transition and cancer stem cell properties in triple-negative breast cancer. Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas: Innovations Conference, Austin, TX, 11/2017, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Soundararajan R, Paranjape A, Joseph R, Bhangre N, Aparicio A, Maity S, Logothetis C, Chang J, Mani S. Modulating a cancer stem cell-specific signaling pathway to reverse the course of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, 10/2017, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Joseph R, Soundararajan R, Paranjape A, co-first author SM. Determinants of metastatic competence in breast carcinoma: a role for immune cells. The AACR Annual Meeting 2016 76(14 (Suppl)):5141, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Joseph R, Soundararajan R, co-first author SM. Immune regulation of EMT and metastatic competence in breast tumor progression. Cancer Immunology Research 4(1 (Suppl)):A130, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Ramirez-Pena E, Soundararajan R, Sphyris N, Bhowmik S, Arnold J, Sreekumar A, Mani S. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition reprograms metabolism toward reduced glutaminolysis through the Winged Helix/Forkhead Transcription factor, FOXC2. The Hallmarks of Cancer Symposium, Rice University, Bioscience Research Collaborative, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Paranjape A, Soundararajan R, Joseph R, Tang D, Miura N, co-first author SM. EMT dictates prostate cancer stem-cell behavior. The Hallmarks of Cancer Symposium, Rice University, Bioscience Research Collaborative, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Paranjape A, Soundararajan R, Jeseph R, co-first author SM. Delineating the role of EMT in the generation and maintenance of prostate cancer stem cells. Cancer Research 75(15 (Suppl)):4065, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Soundararajan R, Rashmi P, Colussi GL, Wang J, Ng M, Vandewalle A, Pearce D. GILZ1 directs SGK1 target preference to differentially regulate various ion transporters in the kidney tubules. 95th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2013), San Francisco, CA, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Rashmi P, Soundararajan R, Colussi GL, Wang J, Ng M, Pearce D. GILZ regulates sodium and potassium balance in the distal nephron. 95th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2013), San Francisco, CA, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Soundararajan R, Ziera T, Koo E, Ling K, Wang J, Borden S, Pearce D. Scaffold protein CNK3 coordinates assembly of a multiprotein 'ENaC-regulatory complex'. 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Nephrology (Renal Week-2012), San Diego, CA, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Soundararajan R, Ziera T, Wang J, Pearce D. Identification of CNK3 as an important component of the aldosterone-controlled ENaC-regulatory complex. 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Nephrology (Renal Week-2011), Philadelphia, PA, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Suarez P, Rodriguez EG, Stehle J, Rotman S, Wang J, Soundararajan R, Gross O, Petrilli V, Wilson A, Roger T, Pralong F, Pearce D, Tschopp J, Rossier B, Hummler E. GILZ1 regulates SGK1 function, expression and subcellular localization. Phenotypic characterization of GILZ-deficient mice. 92nd Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2010), San Diego, CA, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Soundararajan R, Wang J, Melters D, Shih I, Pearce D. GILZ1: a key molecular determinant of intracellular signaling specificity governing epithelial sodium transport. Experimental Biology Annual Meeting (ASBMB-EB 2010), Anaheim, CA, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Soundararajan R, Melters D, Shih I, Wang J, Pearce D. GILZ recruits SGK1 to a novel 'ENaC-regulatory complex' containing Raf-1 and Nedd4-2. 91st Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2009), Washington, DC, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Soundararajan R, Melters D, Shih I, Wang J, Pearce D. Molecular players of aldosterone action: A role for GILZ and the 'ENaC-regulatory complex' in modulating distal nephron sodium transport. 35th Annual Meeting of the International Aldosterone Conference, Washington, DC, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Soundararajan R, Melters D, Shih I, Wang J, Pearce D. Molecular determinants of distal nephron sodium transport: The role of GILZ and the 'ENaC-regulatory complex'. 28th Annual Meeting of the West Coast Salt & Water Club, Morro Bay, CA, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Soundararajan R, Wang J, Melters D, Pearce D. Subcellular compartments and interacting partners involved in GILZ regulation of ENaC. 41st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Nephrology (Renal Week-2008), 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Soundararajan R, Wang J, Melters D, Pearce D. Mechanistic insights into ENaC regulation directed by GILZ: Subcellular localization of Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper protein 1 (GILZ1). 34th Annual Meeting of the International Aldosterone Conference, San Francisco, CA, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Soundararajan R, Wang J, Melters D, Pearce D. Identification and preliminary characterization of multiple Glucocorticoid-induced Leucine Zipper protein (GILZ) isoforms in kidney epithelial cells. 90th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2008), San Francisco, CA, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Deshpande S, Soundararajan R, Hardy MP, Rao A. Regulation of gene expression by estrogen in the epididymides of the ERaKO mouse and estrogen receptor antagonist (ICI 182780)-treated Macaca radiata (bonnet monkey). 90th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2008), San Francisco, CA, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Soundararajan R, Zhang TT, Wang J, Pearce D. Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper protein (GILZ) regulates ENaC-mediated sodium transport: Involvement of the MAPK cascade. 88th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2006), Boston, MA, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Soundararajan R, Zhang TT, Wang J, Pearce D. Novel modes of dis-inhibition of sodium transport: A role for GILZ in ENaC regulation. Pre-Experimental Biology Meeting (LKEM, NIH - UCSF Meeting) of the American Physiological Society, San Francisco, CA, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Soundararajan R, Zhang TT, Wang J, Rossier B, Pearce D. Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper protein (GILZ) regulates ENaC-mediated sodium transport through modulation of the MAPK cascade. 38th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Nephrology (Renal Week-2005), Philadelphia, PA, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Soundararajan R, Zhang TT, Rossier B, Pearce D. Regulation of ENaC-mediated sodium transport by Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper protein (GILZ). 31st Annual Meeting of the International Aldosterone Conference, San Diego, CA, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Soundararajan R, Zhang TT, Rossier B, Pearce D. The role of Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper protein (GILZ) in ENaC-mediated sodium transport. 87th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2005), San Diego, CA, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Rama S, Rao AJ. Regulation of trophoblast telomerase: A multi-functional role for TGF B1. 84th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO-2002), 2002. e-Pub 2002.
- Rama S, Rao AJ. Trophoblast growth regulation: Insights from a study on the modulation of telomerase activity. 21st Annual Convention of the Indian Association for Cancer Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, 2002. e-Pub 2002.
- Rama S, Suresh Y, Rao AJ. TGF B1 modulates telomerase activity during human trophoblast differentiation: Involvement of c-Myc, p21 and p27. The 70th Annual Meeting of the Society of Biological Chemists, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India, 2001. e-Pub 2001.
- Rama S, Suresh Y, Rao AJ. Human trophoblast differentiation involves modulation of telomerase expression: Identification of TGF B1 as a negative regulator of telomerase activity. The XXV All India Cell Biology Conference, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, 2001. e-Pub 2001.
- Logotheti S, Mesiakaris K, Lazaros K, Kontogianni E, Panopoulou E, Kontogiannis S, Estecio M, Soundararajan R, Logothetis C, Vrahatis AG, Tzelepi V. Epigenetic biomarker identification of each stage during the progression of prostate cancer. The AACR Annual Meeting 2025.
- Soundararajan R, et al. Targeting cancer stem-cells in aggressive variant prostate cancers. The AACR Annual Meeting 2019.
- Joseph, R, Soundararajan R, et al. Regulation of metastasis by CD8 T lymphocytes. The AACR Annual Meeting 2019.
- Soundararajan R, et al. Modulating plasticity in aggressive variant prostate cancers. International Multi-Institute Prostate Cancer Retreat.
- Soundararajan R, et al. Modulating plasticity in aggressive variant prostate cancers. The AACR Annual Meeting 2020.
- Logotheti S, Vundavilli V, Estecio M, Soundararajan R, et al. Defining lineage plasticity in androgen-indifferent prostate cancer. 34th European Congress of Pathology-Uropathology.
- Viscuse P, Zhang M, Rohra P, Slack-Tidwell R, Pritchard C, Soundararajan R, et al. Evaluation of the aggressive variant prostate cancer molecular signature (AVPC-m) in CLIA environments. ASCO-Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
- Logotheti S, Vundavilli H, Papadaki E, Zhao Y, Estecio M, Soundararajan R, et al. Candidate measures of lineage plasticity in aggressive phenotypes of prostate cancer. The AACR Annual Meeting 2023.
- Guo S, Subramani E, Frigo DE, Pilié PG, Goswami S, Soundararajan R, et al. Single cell analysis reveals treatment response-associated plastic cell state and lineage switching in aggressive variant prostate cancer. The AACR Annual Meeting 2024.
- Soundararajan R, et al. A Structured Academic Curriculum to Facilitate Obtaining and Executing a Faculty Position in Biomedical Research. The 2024 Annual IAMSE Conference (International Association of Medical Science Educators).
- Logotheti S, Mesiakaris K, Kontogianni E, Estecio M, Soundararajan R, et al. Defining epigenetic biomarkers of aggressive prostate cancer. 36th European Congress of Pathology-Uropathology.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 25, 2025