The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) has more than 125 members from across the Illinois campus. Given the great variety in backgrounds, research disciplines, and experiences of our members, we offer our Q&A series “Get to Know a Cancer Researcher” to provide readers a connection with the amazing array of individuals who comprise the CCIL’s robust cancer research team. This is the sixth installment.
CCIL Member: Matthew Dean
CCIL Research Program: Cancer Engineering & Biological Systems
CCIL Research Theme: Mechanistic and Quantitative Biology
Faculty Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Sciences
What originally drew you to cancer research?
I grew up on a small farm in West Virginia. This led to graduate training in livestock reproduction. My expertise in reproduction and cell biology led to a postdoc studying ovarian cancer at UIC. That was when I first became fascinated by cancer.
What cancer problems are you seeking to address in your lab?
My lab focuses on glucose metabolism in the female reproductive system. This includes how glucose metabolism is altered in endometrial cancer and ovarian cancers that originate in the fallopian tube.
What keeps you going in your research? How do you recharge?
I don’t know if this helps me recharge, but outside of work, I spend a lot of time trying to keep up with my daughters (ages 1 and 5). When I can, I also like to garden and be outside.
What are fun or quirky facts about you that others may not know?
I am a cancer researcher and a cancer survivor (lymphoma 2020).
Can you tell us a favorite film or book of yours?
Probably The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, and why?
Starting a successful lab in the midst of COVID19, a cancer diagnosis, and having two daughters as an Assistant Professor. I started my lab in 2019. 2020 was a stressful year, but I kept everything going. I am proud of that.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received, and how has it shaped your research career?
Read the literature. This has pushed my research in new directions and kept me from wasting time repeating things that have already been done.
Stay tuned for more weekly installments in our “Get to Know a Cancer Researcher” series.
Editor’s notes:
Matthew Dean can be reached at mjdean@illinois.edu.
This story was written by Jonathan King, CCIL Communications Specialist.