Colgate Professor and Students Publish Groundbreaking Paper on Cancer Gene KLF4
Colgate Professor and Students Publish Groundbreaking Paper on Cancer Gene KLF4
sliddell@colgate.edu
Colgate University Professor of Biology Engda Hagos has once again made headlines not only for groundbreaking cancer research, but also for the collaborative spirit in which it was conducted. A recent publication in Current Issues in Molecular Biology, titled “Krüppel-like Factor 4-Deficient Cells Are Sensitive to Etoposide-Induced DNA Damage,” examines the role of the gene KLF4 in DNA repair and features five Colgate students and alumni as co-authors. For Hagos, the project was years in the making. “In my lab, we try to understand how genomic instability that happens due to the absence of KLF4, a gene that acts as a tumor suppressor, leads to cancer development,” Hagos said. His interest in KLF4 began with earlier studies, which revealed that cancer cells without the gene exhibited increased invasion and higher levels of DNA-damaging free radicals. These findings led Hagos and his students to explore KLF4’s role in DNA repair pathways, a complex process critical to preventing cancerous mutations. The team’s findings were striking: cells containing KLF4 were more capable of repairing DNA after being exposed to the chemotherapy drug Etoposide, suggesting the gene regulates repair-related mechanisms. “These findings provide insight into the DNA damage response and may help guide future therapeutic strategies,” Hagos said. The three-year study included Colgate alumni Elisabeth Pezzuto ’22, Patrick Wertimer ’23, Aidan Conroy ’23, Maxwell Rubinstein ’24, and current senior Hadeel Al Qoronz. Together, they navigated the intricacies of experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing, often repeating experiments several times to validate their findings. “Experiments don’t always work, and if they do, we need to repeat them many times before they’re ready for publication,” said Hagos. “But I enjoy the hard work, especially from bright young students who tirelessly pursue their goals.” Rubinstein, first author on the article, reflected on the experience with deep gratitude. “This research represents my growth as a student,” he said. “Even after graduation, Professor Hagos and I would spend hours on Zoom working on the paper. It was so rewarding to continue that mentorship.” Now working as an Associate Product Manager at Medline Industries, Rubinstein sees the publication as a culmination of his academic journey. Conroy, who worked on the project during his senior thesis, recalled maintaining cancer cell lines and performing Western blots to analyze DNA repair proteins. “Professor Hagos went above and beyond his duties,” Conroy said. “He pushed us to develop our own questions and hypotheses, cultivating independence while supporting us every step of the way.” Conroy will begin medical school at UMass Chan this summer. For Pezzuto, now a PhD candidate at the German Cancer Research Center, the collaboration was career-defining. “Before meeting Professor Hagos, I was uncertain about a future in science,” she said. “His mentorship pushed me to aim higher. This publication marks my first, and it feels like the launch of my scientific career.” The publication is also a capstone for Al Qoronz, who will graduate this May and hopes to attend dental school. Wertimer, who is set to begin a PhD in neuroscience at Stony Brook University and is currently a research assistant at Rockefeller University. This spring, three of Hagos’s current students — Megan Sullivan ’25, Nicole Rodgers ’25, and Cole Zeh ’25 — presented research at national conferences. They, along with Hagos, are co-authoring a new manuscript expected to be submitted by the end of the year. This study adds to a growing body of research on KLF4 and its role in maintaining genomic stability, but for Hagos and his team, the lasting impact is in the process itself: years of experiments, setbacks, revisions, and persistence. “Good research demands time and patience,” Hagos said. “But in the end, it is rewarding.” Since 2015, Hagos has published seven peer-reviewed articles with 35 Colgate student co-authors. “Colgate is a very unique place for me,” he said. “There are not many other liberal arts colleges that do what we do, and I feel very happy and blessed that I found a place and job where every single day I am excited to come to work.”
Academics
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Faculty News
Research
Alumni
News and Updates
Alumni
Faculty & Staff
Student
Department of Biology
Professor of Biology Engda Hagos (Photo by Mark DiOrio)
Colgate University Professor of Biology Engda Hagos has once again made headlines not only for groundbreaking cancer research, but also for the collaborative spirit in which it was conducted. A recent publication in Current Issues in Molecular Biology, titled “Krüppel-like Factor 4-Deficient Cells Are Sensitive to Etoposide-Induced DNA Damage,” examines the role of the gene KLF4 in DNA repair and features five Colgate students and alumni as co-authors.
For Hagos, the project was years in the making. “In my lab, we try to understand how genomic instability that happens due to the absence of KLF4, a gene that acts as a tumor suppressor, leads to cancer development,” Hagos said. His interest in KLF4 began with earlier studies, which revealed that cancer cells without the gene exhibited increased invasion and higher levels of DNA-damaging free radicals. These findings led Hagos and his students to explore KLF4’s role in DNA repair pathways, a complex process critical to preventing cancerous mutations.
The team’s findings were striking: cells containing KLF4 were more capable of repairing DNA after being exposed to the chemotherapy drug Etoposide, suggesting the gene regulates repair-related mechanisms. “These findings provide insight into the DNA damage response and may help guide future therapeutic strategies,” Hagos said.
The three-year study included Colgate alumni Elisabeth Pezzuto ’22, Patrick Wertimer ’23, Aidan Conroy ’23, Maxwell Rubinstein ’24, and current senior Hadeel Al Qoronz. Together, they navigated the intricacies of experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing, often repeating experiments several times to validate their findings.
“Experiments don’t always work, and if they do, we need to repeat them many times before they’re ready for publication,” said Hagos. “But I enjoy the hard work, especially from bright young students who tirelessly pursue their goals.”
Rubinstein, first author on the article, reflected on the experience with deep gratitude. “This research represents my growth as a student,” he said. “Even after graduation, Professor Hagos and I would spend hours on Zoom working on the paper. It was so rewarding to continue that mentorship.” Now working as an Associate Product Manager at Medline Industries, Rubinstein sees the publication as a culmination of his academic journey.
Conroy, who worked on the project during his senior thesis, recalled maintaining cancer cell lines and performing Western blots to analyze DNA repair proteins. “Professor Hagos went above and beyond his duties,” Conroy said. “He pushed us to develop our own questions and hypotheses, cultivating independence while supporting us every step of the way.” Conroy will begin medical school at UMass Chan this summer.
For Pezzuto, now a PhD candidate at the German Cancer Research Center, the collaboration was career-defining. “Before meeting Professor Hagos, I was uncertain about a future in science,” she said. “His mentorship pushed me to aim higher. This publication marks my first, and it feels like the launch of my scientific career.”
The publication is also a capstone for Al Qoronz, who will graduate this May and hopes to attend dental school. Wertimer, who is set to begin a PhD in neuroscience at Stony Brook University and is currently a research assistant at Rockefeller University.
This spring, three of Hagos’s current students — Megan Sullivan ’25, Nicole Rodgers ’25, and Cole Zeh ’25 — presented research at national conferences. They, along with Hagos, are co-authoring a new manuscript expected to be submitted by the end of the year.
This study adds to a growing body of research on KLF4 and its role in maintaining genomic stability, but for Hagos and his team, the lasting impact is in the process itself: years of experiments, setbacks, revisions, and persistence. “Good research demands time and patience,” Hagos said. “But in the end, it is rewarding.”
Since 2015, Hagos has published seven peer-reviewed articles with 35 Colgate student co-authors. “Colgate is a very unique place for me,” he said. “There are not many other liberal arts colleges that do what we do, and I feel very happy and blessed that I found a place and job where every single day I am excited to come to work.”
Latest Latest
- Next Up on 13: An Anthropologist’s Field Guide to Intelligent Extraterrestrial LifeNext Up on 13: An Anthropologist’s Field Guide to Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life kputman@colgate.edu On the latest episode of 13, the Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Astronomy, Anthropology, and Native American Studies Anthony Aveni discusses his newest book, Aliens Like Us?: An Anthropologist’s Field Guide to Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life. Aveni started teaching at Colgate in 1963 and is widely known as one of the founders of Mesoamerican archaeoastronomy for his research in the astronomical history of the Maya Indians of ancient Mexico. Aveni was featured in Rolling Stone's list of the 10 best university professors in the country, and he was voted National Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Washington, D.C., the highest national award for teaching. At Colgate, he received the 2012 Balmuth Teaching Award, the 1997 Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society Distinguished Teaching Award voted by the Class of 1990. Aveni is a lecturer, speaker, and editor/author of three dozen books on ancient astronomy and has more than 300 research publications to his credit, including three cover articles in Science magazine and key works in American Scientist, The Sciences, American Antiquity, Latin American Antiquity, and The Journal of Archaeological Research. In 2017, after 54 years at Colgate, Aveni retired from teaching full time. In March, Aveni’s newest book, Aliens Like Us?: An Anthropologist’s Field Guide to Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life, was published. “Aveni’s newest work departs significantly from the usual scientific treatment of extraterrestrial intelligence by probing the historical and widely neglected anthropological record, which offers relevant incidents of contact among terrestrial cultures.” Each episode of 13, Colgate’s award-winning podcast, digs into the work of a University community member by asking questions. Episodes highlight the wide array of academic disciplines at Colgate, with interviews featuring faculty from political science, sociology and anthropology, physics and astronomy, women’s studies, English, Africana and Latin American studies, and many more. Find 13 on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Faculty News Faculty Profiles News and Updates Faculty & Staff
- Sandra Hsu Hnin Mon ’12 Receives NIH Intramural AIDS Research FellowshipSandra Hsu Hnin Mon ’12 Receives NIH Intramural AIDS Research Fellowship mniedt@colgate.edu Sandra Hsu Hnin Mon ’12 has been named as a recipient of the National Institutes of Health Intramural AIDS Research Fellowship (NIAID IARF). She is also an NIH Oxford-Cambridge scholar. The Intramural AIDS Research Fellowship is designed to advance the NIH’s cross-disciplinary research into HIV and AIDS. The program recruits graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from all scientific disciplines to the broad field of AIDS research and provides a funding opportunity for intramural fellows whose work can be directly related to HIV and AIDS. Mon, an international student from Myanmar, majored in molecular biology and was a mentee of Professor of Biology Geoffrey Holm, whose research focuses on mammalian reoviruses. “I knew I wanted to do health-related work back in Myanmar/Southeast Asia,” Mon says. “But thought the only way to do so was via med school. This rapidly changed when I took Prof. Holm’s CORE Outbreaks class, which exposed me to the incredible field of infectious disease epidemiology. He helped me understand how my Colgate training falls in line with a career in public health.” In addition to her student research with Holm, Mon held leadership roles in Colgate’s international community. She also served as a CL and often collaborated with the ALANA Cultural Center. After graduating from Colgate, Mon wanted to gain work experience in molecular research and epidemiology before applying to PhD programs. She worked in a malaria lab for two years — further training as a bench scientist and her first major experience working with the Department of Medical Research in the Myanmar Ministry of Health. Mon then pursued a master of science in public health, focusing on global disease epidemiology and control at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. There, she was able to hone her passion for global epidemiology research and receive a certification in humanitarian health. Mon’s practicum focused on implementation science, which brought her back to Myanmar and Thailand for community-based HIV research. Between her master’s and doctoral studies, Mon continued to work in Myanmar and Thailand with the Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health and Human Rights. She connected with marginalized populations across global settings and expanded her research to the health impacts of humanitarian conflict. She also gained experience in grant writing, another skill that helped her become an NIH Ox-Cam scholar and NIAID IARF fellow. After her PhD, Mon wants to apply to postdoctoral positions that could give her additional opportunities to build upon her current doctoral project. She is also considering policy-related opportunities, such as the Science & Technology Policy Fellowships through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Ultimately, Mon wants to pursue a career at the intersection of epidemiologic research and health policy, To learn more about the NIAID IARF, the NIH Ox-Cam Scholarship, or other competitive awards, reach out to Meghan Niedt, mniedt@colgate.edu, in the Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships to schedule an appointment. Academics Natural Sciences and Mathematics Alumni Outcomes News and Updates Alumni Department of Biology Sandra Hsu Hnin Mon ’12
- Colgate Announces New Residential Commons Co-DirectorsColgate Announces New Residential Commons Co-Directors nhendrickson@c… Colgate University’s Dart Colegrove and Brown Commons are set to welcome new co-directors for the 2025–2026 academic year. Isla Globus-Harris, assistant professor of economics, will assume the role of faculty co-director for Dart Colegrove Commons, and Title IX Coordinator Amy Gordon will step in as staff co-director for Brown Commons. Globus-Harris will succeed Engda Hagos, professor of biology, and will be working with Lou Kaminski, assistant dean of student conduct, who continues in his role as Dart Colegrove staff co-director. Gordon will take over the position previously held by Laura Festine, director of university grants and sponsored research. She will work alongside David McCabe, Richard J. and Joan Head Chair in philosophy, who continues his tenure as faculty co-director of Brown Commons. “I want to thank Engda and Laura for their service to the University and to the Residential Commons,” says Vice President and Dean of the College Paul McLoughlin. “As Residential Commons co-directors, they have gone above and beyond in their efforts to ensure that all Colgate students feel that strong sense of community that makes Colgate such a remarkable place to live and learn. I thank Isla and Amy for carrying that work forward.” Established in 2015, the Residential Commons system serves as a cornerstone for Colgate’s distinctive approach to residential liberal arts education. Brown, Ciccone, Dart Colegrove, and Hancock commons are each named in honor of distinguished members of the Colgate community and are guided by a collaborative leadership team made up of staff, faculty, and students. These teams work together to foster an enriching residential experience and provide a support system for students from the moment they arrive on campus and through their first two years in residence. Globus-Harris earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and a PhD in economics from the University of California-San Diego, where she specialized in interdisciplinary environmental research. She joined Colgate’s economics department in 2017. “I’m looking forward to engaging with students while bridging residential life and academics,” Globus-Harris says. “Colgate and its students are such a special community to me, and participating in the commons seemed like a great opportunity to connect with our students and contribute to the campus community.” Before joining Colgate in the summer of 2023, Gordon previously worked as a Title IX and equal employment investigator at Drexel University. She received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Michigan and her juris doctorate from American University Washington College of Law. “I love creating community, and an opportunity to do that with students is particularly exciting,” Gordon says. “A place where there will always be something for you to do or people you want to chat with — that’s what I want to continue creating for students.” The completion of the commons system is a focus of the Third-Century Plan, culminating in the future construction of a new fifth commons on the hill. As Colgate continues to invest significantly in enhancing residential education as part of the Third Century Plan, the University will continue to prioritize its mission of providing students with a strong sense of belonging on campus and meaningful connections with both peers and faculty. Campus Life Residential Life News and Updates Faculty & Staff Department of Economics
- ABC News Correspondent Stephanie Ramos Speaks on the Art of StorytellingABC News Correspondent Stephanie Ramos Speaks on the Art of Storytelling omiller1@colgate.edu From Buffalo to Baghdad, Stephanie Ramos has seen it all — and she’s probably talked about it on your television. As an ABC News correspondent based in New York City, Ramos is at the heart of the TV news industry. She’s also an army reserve major with 23 years of service and a deployment to Iraq under her belt. Ramos visited Colgate on Tuesday, April 8, to discuss her path to success and offer advice to fellow storytellers. Dean of Students Dorsey Spencer and Administrative Department Coordinator Melissa Helmke-Davie collaborated to organize the event, which was sponsored by the Student Media Leadership Fund. Ramos lunched with staff from the Maroon-News, Colgate’s student-run newspaper. She outlined her journey as a reporter, from her time in the NBC page program right after graduate school, to her years in local news markets in Topeka and Kansas City, and finally, to her current position with ABC. That evening, Ramos spoke at the ALANA Cultural Center about the lessons she’s learned throughout her years on the job. She is both a guest anchor for various shows — Good Morning America and Nightline to name just two — and a researcher. Once the station catches wind of a story, Ramos will often travel to a site just hours (if not moments) before going on air. Ramos’ work as a journalist in a fast-paced and demanding industry has shaped her understanding of creativity. “You don’t need endless freedom to be creative,” she says. “You need intention, purpose, focus, discipline, curiosity, and heart. Whether you’re painting, writing, composing, or reporting: the deadlines are not your enemy. Deadlines are important.” But it’s not all about deadlines — it’s also about connection and authenticity, even under pressure. “You’re not just in front of a camera, you’re building bridges of understanding. This is especially important when the stakes are really high,” explains Ramos. “Your creativity is not just an artistic skill. It’s a moral responsibility.” Ramos has gotten to where she is now because of her grit and tenacity, which have helped her not only to impress employers, but also to excel in the field. Ramos’ advice for anyone looking to succeed in the news industry: “You ask the real questions. You listen. You keep going until they give you something honest.” Ramos argues that the best reporters are those who genuinely care about the stories they cover and the people they interview. The secret to storytelling, according to Ramos, is compassion, as well as a commitment to the truth, which can also mean the emotional truth. “Here’s a thing a lot of people get wrong about the news. Every story is somebody’s life. In order to get the right story, the good story, it’s a matter of connecting with that person,” says Ramos. “Having that intention when telling your stories will help you tell a better story. People can tell when you’re being fake. When you learn to make those stories sing, that’s when you tell the truth.” Campus Life News and Updates Faculty & Staff Student ABC News Correspondent Stephanie Ramos (ABC/Heidi Gutman)
- Elsa O’Brien ’25 Wins 1819 AwardElsa O’Brien ’25 Wins 1819 Award mcwalden@colgate.edu Elsa O’Brien ’25 has won the Colgate Alumni Corporation 1819 Award. The University’s highest student honor recognizes character, scholarship, and service that exemplify the Colgate spirit. It is given each year to a member of the graduating class. O’Brien, a classical studies and English double major from Alameda, Calif., was selected from nominations submitted by students, faculty, and staff. She will serve as the student speaker during the University’s baccalaureate service, held for seniors and their guests on the Saturday before commencement. President Brian W. Casey announced the honor during the University’s annual awards convocation. “Motivated by a love of this community, Elsa is not merely concerned for classmates, professors, and staff members,” Casey said. “Rather, she takes action. It could be as simple as driving a friend up the hill to an exam — or, as pivotal as helping to advance the University’s dedication to freedom of expression by serving on a task force looking at university speech policies.” Currently Student Government Association president, O’Brien previously served as the SGA’s vice president of student engagement and headed up the Student Activities Association. Through campus employment, O’Brien has reached out to current and future classmates — as an ambassador in the Office of Admission, Career Services, and the Office of the President. “I love these positions and enjoy chatting with and calming students and prospective families, collaborating on projects, and working as a team alongside students and staff,” she said. Meanwhile, O’Brien’s academic pursuits earned her the George W. Cobb Award for Outstanding Achievement, membership in the Eta Sigma Phi Classics Honorary Society, the Department of Classics Newton Lloyd Andrews Prize, and multiple appearances on the Dean’s List With Distinction. One nominee noted that, “Elsa is that student in the classroom who has a true thirst for knowledge. She not only loves to learn, but she is drawn to coursework where she can expect to encounter significant academic challenges.” While pursuing her double-major, O’Brien co-curated a library exhibit on ancient and Colgate architecture, took two English senior seminars as a junior, and wrote a senior honors thesis in classics. “None of these experiences were easy, but I would do them again in a heartbeat,” she said. “The classroom will be what I miss the most after graduation, but I can't wait for a lifetime of learning.” Academics Alumni Campus Life People News and Updates Student Department of the Classics Department of English and Creative Writing Elsa O’Brien ’25 (Photo by Mark DiOrio)
- Colgate in the Media: April 2025Colgate in the Media: April 2025 kputman@colgate.edu Colgate University faculty, staff, and alumni regularly provide their expertise and contribute to national and regional media outlets shaping discussions around vital research and current events. Art Seizures at the Met Caused Concern. His Job Is to Address It. The New York Times Elizabeth Marlowe, Professor of Art; Chair, Department of Art, Director, Museum Studies Program As a diplomat, Pope Francis won breakthroughs and faced frustrations The Washington Post Timothy Byrnes, Peter L. Kellner Third Century Chair in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; Professor of Political Science Groupthink Explains Defense Department’s Signal Chat Fiasco Scientific American Danielle Lupton, Associate Professor of Political Science; Director of the International Relations Program 7 Cultural Treasures That Were Repatriated History Elizabeth Marlowe, Professor of Art; Chair, Department of Art; Director, Museum Studies Program Brain-guided convolutional neural networks reveal task-specific representations in scene processing Scientific Reports Bruce Hansen, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience What the ancient world can teach us about death Los Angeles Times Robert Garland, Roy D. and Margaret B. Wooster Professor of the Classics, Emeritus In battle of political majorities, Congress outweighs Trump Syracuse.com Michael Hayes, Professor of Political Science, Emeritus Faculty News Alumni News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff