PI:
Ken Olive, Ph.D.
Ken began his doctoral studies in 1998 in the laboratory of Tyler Jacks at the MIT Center for Cancer Research, investigating the neomorphic effects of mutant p53 in a mouse model of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. While at MIT, he also helped develop a conditional mutant model of advanced lung adenocarcinoma. After graduating in 2005, Ken began a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of David Tuveson at the University of Pennsylvania, later moving with the lab to the University of Cambridge in England. There he built a translational research facility for studying novel anticancer therapeutics in genetically engineered mouse models of pancreatic cancer. Ken joined the faculty of the Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center in January of 2010, where he is continuing his investigations into the response of pancreatic tumors to therapeutic interventions. He also founded and directs the Oncology Precision Therapeutics Imaging Core within the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
| Olive_CV |
Postdoctoral Fellows
Alvaro Curiel, Ph.D.
Alvaro integrates cancer biology techniques and computational biology. He uses regulatory network analysis techniques on pre-clinical and clinical samples to identify key transcription drivers such as BMAL2 and study the role of malignant cell heterogeneity in PDAC. He uses this data to study novel targeted therapies for PDAC.
Professional bio: Alvaro got his BSc in Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Navarra in Spain and his MSc in biomedical research at the University of Valladolid. He received his PhD working in the group of brain tumors at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) studying the mechanism of chemoresistance and developing new murine models for glioblastoma using different genetic editing tools.
In his free time, Alvaro loves playing soccer, traveling, and spending time with his friends.
Professional bio: Alvaro got his BSc in Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Navarra in Spain and his MSc in biomedical research at the University of Valladolid. He received his PhD working in the group of brain tumors at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) studying the mechanism of chemoresistance and developing new murine models for glioblastoma using different genetic editing tools.
In his free time, Alvaro loves playing soccer, traveling, and spending time with his friends.
Marie C. Hasselluhn, Ph.D.
Marie’s research is focused on tumor-stroma interactions. She aims at identifying new paracrine signaling cascades involving multiple cell types reflecting the complexity of pancreatic cancer using a new ex vivo model system.
Marie got her BSc in Molecular Biotechnology at Technische Universitaet Dresden, Germany. She then studied Human Biology focused on Tumor Biology at Philipps-Universitaet Marburg, Germany. During this time, she first engaged in pancreatic cancer research working with genetically engineered mouse models in translational medicine approaches. She joined the Molecular Medicine program at University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany, and received her PhD dealing with alterations in signal transduction caused by Smad4 deficiency in pancreatic cancer.
Marie got her BSc in Molecular Biotechnology at Technische Universitaet Dresden, Germany. She then studied Human Biology focused on Tumor Biology at Philipps-Universitaet Marburg, Germany. During this time, she first engaged in pancreatic cancer research working with genetically engineered mouse models in translational medicine approaches. She joined the Molecular Medicine program at University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany, and received her PhD dealing with alterations in signal transduction caused by Smad4 deficiency in pancreatic cancer.
Graduate Students
Tanner Dalton, MS
Tanner is focusing on reprogramming tumor-associated myeloid cells to take advantage of already extremely abundant, normally anti-tumor cell populations that have been co-opted by the tumor.
Tanner received his BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Johns Hopkins University. Following graduation, he took up a research position in the Department of Pathology at Weill Cornell Medicine. While there, Tanner focused on manipulating the viral proteome of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected Burkitt lymphoma to sensitize the tumor cells to EBV-directed cytotoxic T cell therapy. Tanner went on to obtain his MS in Biology from New York University, where his focused shifted toward improving immunotherapy in PDAC.
Outside of the lab, Tanner enjoys being outside exploring and traveling to new countries.
Tanner received his BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Johns Hopkins University. Following graduation, he took up a research position in the Department of Pathology at Weill Cornell Medicine. While there, Tanner focused on manipulating the viral proteome of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected Burkitt lymphoma to sensitize the tumor cells to EBV-directed cytotoxic T cell therapy. Tanner went on to obtain his MS in Biology from New York University, where his focused shifted toward improving immunotherapy in PDAC.
Outside of the lab, Tanner enjoys being outside exploring and traveling to new countries.
Daniel Ross
Dan studies the unique physiology and metabolism of pancreatic cancer to guide the development of new treatment regimens which leverage the highly oxidative cellular environment of PDAC. Currently, his interests lie in metabolomics and the role of cyst(e)ine depletion in PDAC.
When not in lab, he loves traveling to developing countries and exploring the world while teaching underprivileged groups about science and the importance of education.
- Dan graduated from Rutgers University and has a background in biochemistry and metabolism. At Rutgers he helped develop curriculum for the Biochemistry program. Dan has authored chapters in 3D-modeling of proteins and the details of structure-function relationships at a molecular level. His curriculum is still used at Rutgers University today.
When not in lab, he loves traveling to developing countries and exploring the world while teaching underprivileged groups about science and the importance of education.
Filko Prugo
Filko is investigating the role of BRCA2 heterozygosity in early tumorigenesis, with a focus on systemic inflammation and the immune microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. Using CRISPR-Cas9 and novel mouse models, his research aims to uncover how BRCA2 mutations contribute to cancer development and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. Filko’s research has been recognized with support from the Genome and Epigenome Integrity in Cancer (GEIC) Training Program’s T32 grant, awarded by the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Filko holds an M.Phil. in Pathobiology and Mechanisms of Disease from Columbia University, where he is currently a Ph.D. candidate. His academic journey began with a B.S. in Chemistry from York University, followed by an M.S. in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to transitioning into cancer research, Filko spent decades as a patent attorney specializing in life sciences litigation and investment. His decision to shift careers was driven by a deeply personal connection to hereditary cancer—he is a BRCA2 mutation carrier and has lost multiple immediate family members to BRCA2-associated cancers.
Beyond the lab, Filko is an advocate for hereditary cancer awareness and research funding. He has served as a consumer reviewer for the Department of Defense Pancreatic Cancer Research Program and collaborates with UPenn’s Basser Center for BRCA. He also enjoys mentoring students, hiking, and exploring new cities with his family.
Filko holds an M.Phil. in Pathobiology and Mechanisms of Disease from Columbia University, where he is currently a Ph.D. candidate. His academic journey began with a B.S. in Chemistry from York University, followed by an M.S. in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to transitioning into cancer research, Filko spent decades as a patent attorney specializing in life sciences litigation and investment. His decision to shift careers was driven by a deeply personal connection to hereditary cancer—he is a BRCA2 mutation carrier and has lost multiple immediate family members to BRCA2-associated cancers.
Beyond the lab, Filko is an advocate for hereditary cancer awareness and research funding. He has served as a consumer reviewer for the Department of Defense Pancreatic Cancer Research Program and collaborates with UPenn’s Basser Center for BRCA. He also enjoys mentoring students, hiking, and exploring new cities with his family.
Kennedy Stacy
Kennedy is co-mentored by Dr. Olive and Dr. Sandra Ryeom. She focuses on combinatorial Ras inhibition and immunotherapy in PDAC and gastric cancer.
She earned her B.A. in Biological Science from Columbia University in 2020 and went on to work in the lab of Dr. Claire de la Cova at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she earned her M.S. There, she studied B-Raf self regulation in C. elegans.
Kennedy is a Capricorn, eldest daughter, and her favorite food is peanut butter.
She earned her B.A. in Biological Science from Columbia University in 2020 and went on to work in the lab of Dr. Claire de la Cova at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she earned her M.S. There, she studied B-Raf self regulation in C. elegans.
Kennedy is a Capricorn, eldest daughter, and her favorite food is peanut butter.
Staff Scientists
Steve Sastra
Steve joined the Olive Laboratory to apply his diverse experience to managing the Mouse Hospital.
Steve received his B.Sc in Pathology/Immunology from the University of Melbourne, Australia. While working in the university's Department of Medicine at the Austin Hospital under Prof. George Jerums, he combined clinical diagnostics, small animal surgery and research projects in the areas of diabetes, reproductive endocrinology and osteoporosis. As a technical scientist, he has worked with and developed diagnostic and research techniques for a number of medical disciplines including Endocrinology, Liver & Kidney Transplant, Neuroscience, Laboratory Pathology and commercial biotechnology.
Carmine Palermo
Carmine works closely with Steve Sastra, putting in extensive hours in the mouse hospital. His work primarily involves taking and quantifying ultrasound images as a tool for diagnostics and research of cancer biology.
Carmine started his scientific career in the Olive Laboratory as an intern in the summer of 2011 and subsequently was hired as a technician. He graduated from Stony Brook with a B.S. degree in Biochemistry.
Carmine started his scientific career in the Olive Laboratory as an intern in the summer of 2011 and subsequently was hired as a technician. He graduated from Stony Brook with a B.S. degree in Biochemistry.
Oncology Precision Therapeutics Imaging Core (OPTIC)
OPTIC is a core facility with a multitude of helpful resources for the Columbia Research community and external labs. OPTIC's goal is to improve the significance and predictability of translational research by facilitating the discovery and pre-clinical validation of personalized cancer treatments. More information about the OPTIC team can be found on the OPTIC page and website.
Faculty Partners
Gulam Manji, M.D., Ph.D.
Gulam received his Ph.D. in 2000 from the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His thesis research focused on virus-induction and inhibition of apoptosis with an emphasis on studying the mechanism by which Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein’s (IAPs) exert their function. He then performed a post-doctoral fellowship at Millennium Pharmaceuticals where he identified a gene family that contained the Pyrin domain, a novel death domain. Amongst these genes, Pypaf1/NLRP3 was the first reported to be involved in activation of IL-1b and was later shown to activate the inflammasome. Gulam later pursued proteomics studies on Alzheimer’s disease and biomarker identification for colorectal cancer at Elan Pharmaceutical’s and MDS Proteomics before pursuing his clinical training. He pursued his medical degree at Ross University and Internal Medicine Residency training at Albany Medical Center. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hematology and Oncology and the Director of Pancreas Oncology at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University, and is interested in translational studies to target GI malignancies, in particular pancreas cancer.
Lab Manager
Eun Suh received her BS at the University of Notre Dame and her MA in Biotechnology from Columbia in 2025.
She joined the Olive lab as a student researcher and worked with Filko to elucidate the role of BRCA2 haploinsufficiency in the development of PDAC. Furthermore, she wrote her MA thesis on the potential of KRAS inhibitors to treat PDAC.
Now, as lab manager she supports the Olive lab at the bench and behind the scenes.
Interns/Undergrads/Volunteers
Undergraduates have researched and contributed to various research projects in the Olive Lab.
The lab has also hosted students in various programs such as SURF and YES in THE HEIGHTS.
The lab has also hosted students in various programs such as SURF and YES in THE HEIGHTS.
Alumni
Eun Suh Sung, MA
Ula Wasko, PhD
Rose Hollingsworth
Harry Xiao
Amanda Decker, PhD
Jonathan Kapilian
Brandon Cuevas
Irina Sagalovskiy, PhD
Alica Ma, MS
Mike Badgley, PhD
Luis Arnes, PhD
Jaime Eberle, PhD
Carlo Maurer, MD
Roshan Ahmed, PhD
Paul Oberstein, MD
Marina Furmanov
Barabara Orelli, PhD
Dafydd Thomas, PhD
Sam Holmstrom, PhD
Domenico Viterbo, MD, PhD
Peter Kim
Michael Sigouros
Michael Chen
Karina Ng Huang
Peri Shapiro
Genevieve Cody
Mayté Hernandez-Burgos
Jennifer Jongen
Shawn Yuan
Laura Polanco
Tessa LeLarge
Christina Firl
Wilson Hsieh
Sahi Thapi
Brandon Peccia
Brandon Cuevas
Francine Palermo
Farrah Liu
Tiffany Phuong
Claudia Becerra
Kaitlyn Bosch
David Wu
Wendi Liu
Ula Wasko, PhD
Rose Hollingsworth
Harry Xiao
Amanda Decker, PhD
Jonathan Kapilian
Brandon Cuevas
Irina Sagalovskiy, PhD
Alica Ma, MS
Mike Badgley, PhD
Luis Arnes, PhD
Jaime Eberle, PhD
Carlo Maurer, MD
Roshan Ahmed, PhD
Paul Oberstein, MD
Marina Furmanov
Barabara Orelli, PhD
Dafydd Thomas, PhD
Sam Holmstrom, PhD
Domenico Viterbo, MD, PhD
Peter Kim
Michael Sigouros
Michael Chen
Karina Ng Huang
Peri Shapiro
Genevieve Cody
Mayté Hernandez-Burgos
Jennifer Jongen
Shawn Yuan
Laura Polanco
Tessa LeLarge
Christina Firl
Wilson Hsieh
Sahi Thapi
Brandon Peccia
Brandon Cuevas
Francine Palermo
Farrah Liu
Tiffany Phuong
Claudia Becerra
Kaitlyn Bosch
David Wu
Wendi Liu
