Dr. John “Al” Copland at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida

Copland studies the biology of cancer, and the genetic changes that occur as cancers develop.

Mike Lawing and his grandson Connor Hensley visiting Dr. Copland’s lab 

Connor Hensley in the lab with Dr. Copland

What are the goals of Oncogenomics?

Robin Martinez, SmartPatients.com and Powerful Patient

Joyce Graff, Powerful Patient

Mike Lawing, Powerful Patient

Mike, Joyce, and Robin talk with John A. “Al” Copland III, Ph.D., who leads the Cancer Biology and Translational Oncogenomics Laboratory at Mayo Clinic/Jacksonville about basic and “translational” cancer research — turning theories and basic science into treatments that work. The discussion will include how projects are chosen and funded for investigation, how this lab collaborates with other labs involved in similar projects.

While many of our listeners have some familiarity with the clinical trials process and that aspect of cancer research, they probably have little knowledge of an early stage research lab. In this conversation with Dr. Copland provide information which will help them to better understand this aspect of research.

John A. Copland III, Ph.D., leads the Cancer Biology and Translational Oncogenomics Laboratory at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Florida. Research in the lab is aimed at better understanding the mechanisms and pathways of the formation of cancers and tumor progression in order to develop novel, synergistic cancer therapies.  He has published extensively in breast cancer, kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer, proposing targeted therapies in these and other solid tumor cancers.

Dr. Copland has also been instrumental in developing the SPARK program, a program on the Mayo campus for local high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical science to interact with the staff and directors of various Discovery and Translational labs on the campus.  Mike and his grandson Connor visited Dr. Copland’s lab and got some hands-on experience with medical research.

Additional resources:

https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/copland-john-a-iii-ph-d/bio-00028205

https://www.mayo.edu/research/labs/cancer-biology-translational-oncogenomics

https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/spark-research-mentorship-program