About
Summary
Dr. Clarke’s research is involved in mechanistic translational and transdisciplinary studies in breast cancer, with the application of systems theory (systems biology) to studies of endocrine responsiveness and drug resistance. Focusing initially on the interactions of hormones and cytotoxic drugs in breast cancer cells, research expanded into studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of how breast cancers become resistant to endocrine and cytotoxic therapies. Dr. Clarke’s laboratory develops and applies state-of-the-art ‘omics’ (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic), bioinformatic, cellular and molecular biologic technologies to cell cultures, animal models, and human specimens from clinical studies. A long time collaboration with computer scientists and engineers has enabled much of this work
Positions
Executive Director Sep 2020 -
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota
As Executive Director, Dr. Clarke has full responsibility for all administrative, operational, financial, and research activities at The Hormel Institute. Founded in 1942 by Jay C. Hormel, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota has a nearly eight-decade history of making significant scientific discoveries aimed at improving health worldwide. The Hormel Institute is an independent biomedical research unit within the University of Minnesota’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. Collaborative research partners include Masonic Cancer Center UMN (a Comprehensive Cancer Center as designated by the National Cancer Institute, N.I.H.), Mayo Clinic (US News & World Report’s “Best Hospital in the United States”, Newsweek's Best Hospital in the World), and many other leading research centers worldwide. The Hormel Institute, which tripled in size in 2008 and doubled again in size in 2016, hosts some of the world’s most cutting-edge research technologies and expert scientists. For example, The Hormel Institute is home to the only high resolution cryo-electron microscope (300 kV Tritan Krios) in the state of Minnesota (G2 was the 7th installed in the US). More recently, as part of the developing Minnesota BioImaging center (MBiC) the Institute installed a new G5 Krios and an Arctis Plasma Ion Beam Miller; both are the 1st of their iteration at any academic center in the USA). Over the next few years, The Hormel Institute will broaden its impact through innovative, world class research in its quest to improve human health.
Dean for Research Jun 2011 - Jul 2019
Medical Center, Georgetown University
The Dean for Research is a full academic decanal position, the other two academic deans at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) being the Dean for Medical Education and the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies. The Dean for Research reports directly to the President of Georgetown University and to the GUMC Executive Vice President, and is a member of the Georgetown University President’s Executive Committee. The Dean is responsible for the academic and strategic planning and oversight, management, operation, and financial performance of the biomedical research and postgraduate education missions at GUMC. Reports to the Dean for Research include the directors of all GUMC research institutes and centers and the offices that enable and support basic, translational, clinical, and population research at GUMC.
Associate Vice President Jun 2007 - Jul 2019
Medical Center, Georgetown University
Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) comprised four sectors; School of Medicine (founded in 1849), School of Nursing & Health Studies (1903), Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center (1970), and the Biomedical Graduate Research Organization (2005). The two schools (Medicine; Nursing & Health Studies) and the overall research and biomedical graduate education units were led by Deans. The two research components (LCCC; BGRO) were led by Associate Vice Presidents and reported also to the Executive Vice President of Georgetown University Medical Center. The Deans, Associate Vice Presidents, and the Executive Vice President constitute the senior academic leadership of GUMC. Dr. Clarke led the Biomedical Graduate Research Organization (BGRO) that comprised all non-cancer research and graduate education at GUMC from 2007-2009.
Co-Leader Breast Cancer Program Jun 2006 - Jul 2020
Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University
The Breast Cancer Program was founded in 1989 by Dr. Marc Lippman and was the longest standing research program at the Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC). The program represents the primary group of translational breast cancer researchers at Georgetown University, MedStar Health and the LCCC Consortium member John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensack University Medical Center.
Education
Queen's University Belfast 1999
Field of study: Biochemistry
Degree: DSc
National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, U.S.A. 1988
Field of study: Breast cancer
Degree: Postdoctoral training
Queen's University Belfast 1986
Field of study: Biochemistry
Degree: PhD
Queen's University Belfast 1982
Field of study: Biochemistry
Degree: MSC
University of Ulster 1980
Field of study: Biological Sciences
Degree: BSc
Fellowships
Fellow, Royal Society of Medicine
Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry
Fellow, Royal Society for Biology
Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
CV
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