Dr. Karam’s laboratory is focused on basic and translational research related to head and neck cancer. We use molecular, cellular, and preclinical animal models to understand mechanisms of tumor response to radiation treatment. With the goal of developing novel therapeutics we study how targeting members of the Eph gene family, the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, enhances tumor radiosensitization while limiting radiation toxicity to normal tissue. Our goal is to open IRB approved clinical trials to translate the research findings to patients with aggressive head and neck cancer.