Reuben Shaw is an American cancer researcher. He is a professor and director of the National Cancer Institute -Designated Cancer Center at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies , one of the NCI's seven basic laboratory cancer centers in the United States. ^{[1] [2] [3]} He researches signaling pathways that control tumor metabolism, with a specific focus on an ancient energy-sensing pathway that controls biological response to starvation. ^{[4] [5]}

Education [ edit ]

Reuben Shaw grew up in New York state, where he later earned a degree in biology from Cornell University . ^[6] Shaw then earned his Ph.D. in cancer biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology with advisor Tyler Jacks . He completed his postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School with advisor Lewis C. Cantley . ^[7]

Career and research [ edit ]

In 2004, Reuben Shaw discovered a link between primitive energy-sensing AMP-activated protein kinase and tumor suppressing Lkb1 . ^{[8] [7]} In 2005, his lab showed that the type 2 diabetes drug Metformin operates by targeting both Lkb1 and AMP-activated protein kinase . ^[9] Since then, he has researched AMPK, its downstream targets, and how its molecular pathway functions in relation to diabetes and cancer. ^[10]

Shaw joined the Salk Institute for Biological Studies as an assistant professor in 2006. ^[7] He became a professor at Salk in 2014 and currently holds the William R. Brody Chair. ^[1] He is also currently an adjunct professor in molecular biology at University of California, San Diego .

Shaw has made a variety of discoveries related to the AMPK pathway:

• The enzyme AMPK senses when nutrients and energy levels are low, then consequently limits cell growth and reprograms metabolism to withstand such deficits. ^{[11] [4]}
• The AMPK pathway is related to LKB1 and altered in non-small-cell lung cancer . ^{[9] [12]}
• A non-small-cell lung cancer altered AMPK pathway can be reinitiated by treatment with the type 2 diabetes medication Metformin . ^{[9] [13] [14]}

Shaw uses a combination of genetic engineering in mice and interdisciplinary studies across cancer , diabetes , neurodegenerative disease , and aging . ^{[15] [16]} His research contributes to the development of therapeutic solutions to cancers and metabolic diseases, such as the pivot of Metformin to potentially treat cancers and the identification of LKB1 as a target for non-small-cell lung cancer treatments. ^{[15] [17]}

Awards and honors [ edit ]

• Clarivate Top Cited Researcher, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 ^{[18] [19]}
• Member of Lustgarten Advancing Breakthrough Science Program, 2022 ^[20]
• Mark Foundation for Cancer Research Endeavor Award, 2022 ^[21]
• Curebound Discovery Grant, 2022, and member of Scientific Advisory Board ^[22]
• NCI Outstanding Investigator Award, 2017 ^[23]
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute Early Career Scientist, 2009 ^[24]
• The V Foundation for Cancer Research Scholar Award, 2006 ^[25]

References [ edit ]