Welcome to the Wechsler-Reya lab at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in La Jolla, CA. We study the signals that control cell growth and differentiation in the nervous system and how these signals are dysregulated in brain tumors. We focus on medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children, and use models to understand the disease and to develop novel approaches to therapy. Our current areas of interest include:

• Discovering oncogenic drivers and creating new models
• Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of metastasis
• Identifying new therapeutics and approaches to drug delivery
• Harnessing the immune system to target tumors

We also work closely with physicians at Rady Children’s Hospital and elsewhere to translate our findings into trials that can benefit patients. Our goal is to develop safer and more effective therapies for children with brain tumors.