Dr. Ingrid Tatiana Erazo | Molecular Biology | Molecular Biology Contribution Award
Scientific Research Lead | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | United States
Dr. Ingrid Tatiana Erazo is a distinguished cancer researcher and Scientific Research Lead at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) with extensive experience in translational oncology. She earned her PhD Summa Cum Laude in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, where she pioneered research on the ERK5 signaling pathway. Her early postdoctoral work led to the discovery of the mechanism of action for ABTL-0812, an autophagy-inducing anticancer agent now in Phase III clinical trials. Over the past decade at MSKCC, she has advanced understanding of PRMT5 inhibition, therapeutic resistance, and biomarker development for precision oncology. She currently leads initiatives integrating liquid biopsy diagnostics for early cancer detection and is spearheading global health equity programs, including the creation of Brazil’s first national referral network for cancer clinical trials. Her work bridges molecular discoveries with clinical application, driving advancements in both targeted therapies and diagnostic tools.
Professional Profile
Scopus
ORCID
Google Scholar
Education
Dr. Erazo earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Her doctoral research focused on dissecting the ERK5 signaling pathway and its role in cancer cell proliferation and survival. She used Tandem Affinity Purification to map ERK5’s interactome, uncovering novel noncanonical mechanisms and post-translational modifications such as SUMOylation that opened new therapeutic opportunities. Collaborating with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard, she co-developed potent and selective ERK5 inhibitors, providing valuable pharmacological tools for cancer research. Her academic training combined molecular biology with translational oncology, giving her a unique foundation to move seamlessly from bench research to clinical applications. She also pursued advanced training in biomarker discovery and molecular diagnostics, enabling her to contribute to projects that merge fundamental discoveries with practical solutions for cancer detection, prognosis, and treatment optimization in a variety of clinical contexts.
Experience
Dr. Erazo’s professional career spans more than 20 completed research projects and leadership in multiple ongoing studies, covering molecular oncology, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic resistance. At MSKCC, she elucidated the mechanism of action of PRMT5 inhibitors and identified MUSASHI-2 as a driver of drug resistance in hematologic malignancies, leading to innovative combination therapy strategies. She developed liquid biopsy-based diagnostics for aggressive prostate cancers and integrated proteomic biomarkers into clinical research pipelines. In her earlier postdoctoral role at Ability Pharmaceuticals, she was instrumental in advancing ABTL-0812 to clinical trials by defining its mechanism and identifying relevant biomarkers. She has partnered with global pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, Biodesix Inc., and Guardant Health. Her work also extends to global health initiatives, such as establishing Brazil’s first national referral network for cancer clinical trials with molecular profiling, aiming to address disparities in cancer care and ensure equitable access to precision oncology.
Research Interest
Dr. Erazo’s research focuses on cancer biology, mechanisms of drug resistance, biomarker discovery, and precision oncology. She has a particular interest in hematological malignancies and aggressive solid tumors where therapeutic resistance significantly impacts patient outcomes. Her work applies genome-wide CRISPR synthetic lethal screening, proteomics, and high-throughput drug screening to identify cancer vulnerabilities and inform new treatment strategies. She is advancing diagnostic methods through liquid biopsy technology, enabling early and non-invasive tumor detection and monitoring, with a focus on neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Dr. Erazo also addresses global health inequities by developing clinical trial networks in underrepresented regions and incorporating genetic ancestry into study designs to improve population-specific therapeutic approaches. By combining basic molecular research with translational and clinical applications, she aims to ensure that future cancer therapies and diagnostics are effective across diverse populations and accessible beyond high-resource healthcare settings.
Awards
Dr. Erazo’s scientific achievements have positioned her as a leader in translational cancer research and a nominee for the Molecular Biology Contribution Award. She is recognized for her groundbreaking work on ERK5 signaling, the clinical biomarker development for ABTL-0812, and the identification of MUSASHI-2 as a therapeutic resistance driver. Her contributions to liquid biopsy-based proteomic biomarkers for detecting lineage transformation in prostate cancer have advanced early diagnostic capabilities in precision oncology. She has also been a driving force behind the establishment of Brazil’s first national clinical trial referral network, demonstrating a strong commitment to global health equity. Her work, cited extensively in scientific literature, reflects both scientific rigor and real-world clinical impact. These accomplishments highlight her role as both a laboratory innovator and a global health strategist, whose research has shaped cancer treatment strategies and advanced diagnostic development on an international scale.
Top Noted Publications
Dr. Erazo has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, including Annals of Oncology, Nature Communications, Autophagy, and Clinical Cancer Research. Her research spans mechanistic cancer biology, drug development, and biomarker-driven clinical applications. She has contributed to significant discoveries such as mapping the ERK5 interactome, elucidating the mechanism of action for ABTL-0812, and identifying resistance biomarkers for hematological malignancies. Her publications often emerge from collaborative projects that integrate molecular biology, pharmacology, and clinical trial data, reflecting her multidisciplinary approach to advancing oncology research. The high citation count of her work underscores its influence and the adoption of her findings by researchers and clinicians worldwide. Her studies have informed clinical trial design, therapeutic development, and diagnostic tool implementation, bridging the gap between basic science and patient-centered outcomes in cancer care.
Selected Publications (Single-Line Format)
Title: Erazo T, et al. The new antitumor drug ABTL0812 induces ER stress-mediated cytotoxic autophagy by increasing dihydroceramide levels
Journal: Nature Communications
Cited by 312
Title: Erazo T, et al. Inhibition of PRMT5 in lymphomas overcomes therapeutic resistance via MUSASHI-2 modulation
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research
Cited by 145
Title: Erazo T, et al. ERK5 kinase activity-independent functions in cancer: implications for drug development
Journal: Autophagy
Cited by 110
Title: Erazo T, et al. Blood-based proteomic biomarkers for early detection of lineage plasticity in prostate cancer
Journal: Annals of Oncology
Cited by 35
Title: Erazo T, et al. High-throughput screening of FDA-approved drugs for novel therapeutic combinations in lymphoma
Journal: Molecular Oncology
Cited by 28
Conclusion
Dr. Ingrid Tatiana Erazo’s pioneering research, translational breakthroughs, and commitment to equitable precision oncology position her as an outstanding candidate for the Research for Molecular Biology Contribution Award. Her work exemplifies how rigorous molecular biology can directly shape novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and healthcare systems globally. Awarding her would recognize not only her individual achievements but also her vision for transforming cancer care through innovation and inclusivity.