Morad Lab
Morad Lab
Contact: Golnaz.Morad@moffitt.org
I'm a cancer biologist, a dentist-turned-scientist, and the PI of the Bugs & Brain Research Group at Moffitt Cancer Center.
My path to brain tumor research has been anything but straight, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I grew up in Tehran, Iran, where I trained as a dentist following in my parents’ footsteps — a background that, as it turns out, would become surprisingly relevant to my research. After moving to the United States, I pursued my PhD at Harvard University under the mentorship of Dr. Marsha Moses at the Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, where I discovered that tumor-derived extracellular vesicles breach an intact blood-brain barrier via transcytosis and prime the brain for metastatic growth by changing the behavior of astrocytes (ACS Nano, 2019). From there, I joined MD Anderson Cancer Center for my postdoctoral training under Dr. Jennifer Wargo, where I studied the role of the microbiome in primary and metastatic brain tumors - work that culminated in the discovery that brain tumors harbor orally derived bacterial elements, an entirely new component of the brain tumor microenvironment (Nature Medicine, 2025).
These experiences are the foundation of the Bugs & Brain Research Group. We study how the oral and gut microbiota regulate brain metastasis — from keeping tumor cells dormant to driving disease progression to shaping responses to immunotherapy — with the goal of translating these findings into practical strategies that help patients.
Beyond science, I am deeply committed to mentoring trainees at all levels through personalized mentorship and to building a lab where great science and great people thrive together. I have served on the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Associate Member Council (2019-2022) and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Early Career Scientists Committee (2023-present) - experiences that continue to shape how I do science and support the next generation of scientists.
Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time at the beach with my corgi, Ziggy.
I am a Research Project Specialist in the Morad Lab. My research interests focus on cancer biology, immunology, and the role of microbiota in cancer progression and metastasis, especially in melanoma and brain tumors. What I enjoy most about research is trying to understand the biological mechanisms behind disease and how laboratory findings can eventually translate into better treatments for patients. My long-term goal is to become a physician-scientist and combine research with patient care throughout my career.
Outside of research, I enjoy lifting weights, playing basketball, and spending time outdoors. Going to the gym is one of my favorite ways to relieve stress and stay disciplined outside of work, while basketball gives me a fun way to stay active. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends and exploring new places.
I’m a postdoctoral fellow, jointly appointed in the Morad lab and Tarhini lab. I was born and raised in Abadan, Iran. I received my MD degree from Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (AJUMS). During medical school and afterward, I remained actively involved in research. For me, what has consistently drawn me to both medicine and research is a passion for learning new things and solving problems. My growing interest in cancer immunotherapy and patient care brought me to Moffitt Cancer Center. In the Morad lab, I work on clinical and preclinical projects focused on the role of oral microbiota in melanoma brain metastasis and response to immunotherapy. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue an Internal Medicine residency followed by fellowship training in Medical Oncology, with the goal of combining patient care with cancer research.
Outside the lab, I enjoy staying active and learning new sports, especially football (soccer), volleyball, badminton, and working out at the gym. I also enjoy cooking, traveling, and reading about different watch brands.
I'm a postdoctoral fellow with a background in biochemistry and biotechnology from the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina. My doctoral work at CERELA-CONICET examined how lactic acid bacteria with immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties affect models of neurodegenerative disease — my first look at how the microbiota and the nervous system talk to each other. That question carried me into postdoctoral training in the Neurosurgery Department at the University of Michigan, where I studied glioblastoma at the interface of cancer biology, neuroscience, and biophysics, including how the neurotransmitter glutamate shapes collective glioma cell behavior and drives tumor cells to organize like an active liquid crystal. I'm excited to bring that same gut-brain, microbiota-tumor lens to the Morad Lab, where I'll be investigating how the microbiota shapes metastatic dormancy and progression in brain tumors.
Outside the lab, I love playing soccer and spending time outdoors. Some of my favorite moments are long walks with my dog, just the two of us reconnecting with nature. Staying active and staying close to nature helps me recharge and bring fresh energy back to my research.