Aikaterini Stavrou, MS, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Gabr Lab at Weill Cornell Medicine. Her current research focuses on drug discovery in oncology, with a specific emphasis on immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatments. Her work aims to identify novel therapeutic strategies that harness the immune system to combat cancer, addressing critical challenges in cancer treatment.

Dr. Stavrou earned her PhD in Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis from New York University, with her doctoral research centered on cancer biology and the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in tumor microenvironments. Her work highlighted how EV-mediated signaling pathways contribute to cancer progression and metastasis. In addition to her PhD, she holds both an MS and a BS in Toxicology, providing a comprehensive background in understanding the safety and efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Her expertise in toxicology has given her a robust foundation for examining how cancer cells interact with their environment through EV-mediated signaling.

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Stavrou has demonstrated a passion for interdisciplinary research, merging her expertise in Toxicology, Cancer Biology, and molecular techniques to contribute to advancements in cancer treatment and drug discovery Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of cancer biology while exploring innovative strategies to develop more precise and effective cancer therapies  Dr. Stavrou is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment through innovative research and collaboration in the scientific community.