Kim O'Neill

Research Interests

Our Lab focuses on three main aspects of cancer research:
1. Prevention through education.
Our laboratory focuses on the benefits that can be obtained through a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. We are investigating the many different plant chemicals that are involved in reducing cancer risk. We are studying phytochemicals at the molecular level to establish the mechanisms of protection. Current studies involve gene expression by certain phytochemicals, the effect of certain phytochemicals on DNA repair and immune function enhancement. We promote education by publishing our research findings in scientific journals, giving presentations at conferences and authoring chapters in scientific books.

2. Enhancing the body’s own defense systems, particularly the immune system and DNA repair mechanisms. The body has natural defenses against cancer. We study the immune system and help with the development of possible vaccines that could be used against certain forms of cancer. We are currently studying the interface between the immune system and the cancer cell, focusing on tumor associated macrophages and their role in the cancer process. We have developed new methods to study angiogenesis and metastasis. Currently we are investigating the immune response to tumor cell microenvironment and see the effect on macrophages when placed in different tumor micro-environments. We have also developed the DNA repair assays that allow the measurement of certain cells repair capacity which aid in studies of apoptosis and DNA repair. Understanding how we can enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize cancer cells will play a major role in the fight against cancer. We are also studying how the disease spreads or how metastasis occurs at the molec¬ular level, including the development of essential blood vessels to allow the tumor to grow. We are currently working with macrophages to elucidate their role in cancer development. We also are developing CAR technology by genetically engineering T cells to be used as a cancer therapeutic.

3. Early detection of disease. Cancer is generally easier to treat, and a better outcome is assured, if the tumor growth is found early in its development, before metastatic spread. We have discovered a tumor marker found in serum that will aid in diagnosis, prognosis and tumor management. This maker accurately reflects tumor presence, and tumor stage. Several other laboratories working in this field have confirmed this research. We have developed and accurate test method for this marker, BYU has patented the discovery, and it has been licensed to a biotech company for commercial development.

Teaching Interests

Immunology and Molecular Biology

Education

• D.Phil, Biomedical sciences , University of Ulster, N.Ireland, UK (1986)
• BSc, Biology (Hons) , University Of Ulster, N.Ireland UK (1980)

Honors and Awards

• Alumni Professorship Award, BYU Alumni Association (2016 - 2019)

Memberships

• American Association for Cancer Research (1992 - Present)

Professional Citizenship

• Committee/Council Member, American Association for Cancer Research (2015 - 2022)
• Board Member, American Association for Cancer Research (2015 - 2021)
• Committee/Council Member, American association for Cancer Research (2014 - 2016)

Courses Taught

Show Previous Years

Publications

Eliza E Bitter Michelle H Townsend Rachel Erickson Carolyn Allen Kim Leslie O'Neill Kim Leslie O'Neill Evita G Weagel Wei Meng Michelle Townsend Edwin J Velazquez Rachel A Brog Michael W Boyer Kelly Scott Weber Richard A Robison M H Townsend C J Peck W Meng Matthew J Heaton R A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill E. G. Weagel W. Meng M. H. Townsend E. Velazquez-Espinoza Rachel Anne Brog Kelly Scott Weber Richard A Robison K. L. O’Neill Michelle Townsend Abigail M Felsted Stephen R Piccolo Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Michelle H Townsend Michael D Anderson Evita G Weagel Edwin J Velazquez Kelly Scott Weber Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Ryan Steck Spencer Hill Evita Weigel Kelly Scott Weber Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Evita Weagel Curren Smith Pinggou Liu Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Gajendra Shrestha Larry Lee St Clair Kim Leslie O'Neill Gajendra Shrestha A. M. El-Naggar Larry Lee St Clair Kim Leslie O'Neill Chris Hamilton Lucas Aidukaitis Pinggou Liu Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Adrianne B Clifford Atif M Elnaggar Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Chin-Woan Lowe Jordon K March Annette J Bunnell Kim Leslie O'Neill Richard A Robison Andrew R Garrett Gaytri Gupta Elera Mary A Keller Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Richard A Robison Jordon K March Marissa N Cohen James M Lindsey D A Millar Chinn-Woan Lowe Annette J Bunnell G Bruce Schaalje Kim Leslie O'Neill Richard A Robison Mark K Gunnell Charity D Lovelace Benjamin A Satterfield Emily A Moore Kim Leslie O'Neill Gayti Gupta-Elera Andrew Garrett Andres Martinez Ryan Kraus Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Melissa Alegre Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Melissa M Alegre Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Gaytri Gupta Andrew Garrett Richard A Robison Kim Leslie O'Neill Benjamin A Satterfield Alvin F Stewart Cynthia S Lew David O Pickett Marissa Cohen Emily A Moore Patrick F Luedtke Kim Leslie O'Neill Richard A Robison William G Pitt Ghaleb Adnan Husseini R. I. El-Fayoumi Kim Leslie O'Neill N. Y. Rapoport

Presentations