Our Research

Welcome to the MacPherson Lab. Our lab studies how mutations in certain genes cause cancer. The aim is to translate fundamental discoveries about cancer biology into more effective, targeted treatments for patients. The Lab focuses particularly on small-cell lung cancer, a highly aggressive type of lung tumor. Dr. MacPherson’s specialty is developing preclinical models of this disease. Such models help researchers understand how different genes contribute to the disease and begin developing new ways to target them. They also work to link specific mutations to exceptional responses to certain cancer treatments. These insights could help better match individual patients and their unique tumors to the most effective treatments.