Jessica M. Silva-Fisher, PhD
Assistant Professor
- Phone: 314-273-4216
- Fax: 314-273-4364
- Email: silvajm@nospam.wustl.edu
Address:
Division of Oncology
Mail Stop 8069-0021-09
Washington University
660 South Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
Room 9924, BJCIOH Building (office)
Room 9980, BJCIOH Building (lab)
- Long non-coding RNAs
- RNA biology
- Epitranscriptomics
- Multiple myeloma
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
RNA biology, genomics, epigenetics, and molecular biology are the amazing areas of research Dr. Silva-Fisher uses to study how non-coding RNAs promote aggressive forms of cancer. Her multi-disciplinary approach has led to some of the first identified functionally relevant long non-coding RNAs in cancer. Her overall goal is to better understand the basic mechanisms of non-coding RNAs for their future use as diagnostics, prognostics, and novel therapies.
- Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological malignancy of plasma cells (PCs). A very limited number of lncRNAs have been found to be de-regulated in MM and even less are well characterized. We are studying how lncRNA:protein interactions and m6A modifications influence epigenomic regulation to induce progression of MM. Additionally, we are using single cell sequencing of patient samples associated with progression to decipher if lncRNAs can be used as novel biomarkers in patients who do not respond to current therapies. - Late-Stage Relapse Breast Cancer
Despite the proven benefits of adjuvant endocrine therapy in women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, relapses still occur even after initial treatment with endocrine therapy for five years, referred to as late-stage relapse. Currently, we are deciphering how lncRNAs may regulate genes to promote late-stage relapse breast cancer. Toward this end, we discovered lncRNAs that are deregulated in late-stage relapse breast cancer patient samples (NPJ Breast Cancer 2022 Apr 13;8(1):49) and are focused on further characterizing their proliferative and aggressive functions by binding to proteins to better understand their underlying mechanisms. - Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Despite advances in our understanding of lncRNAs in primary colorectal cancer oncogenesis, their role in mCRC and treatment resistance remains poorly characterized. Therefore, our research has focused on understanding the role of lncRNAs in mCRC. For instance, through RNA sequencing of mCRC patient samples I previously discovered and characterized a lncRNA that promotes metastatic progression (PMID: 32358485). Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that it interacts with Chromobox protein 4 (CBX4) to regulate downstream genes and confer oncogenic phenotypes. This novel discovery has led my lab to continue studying the role of lncRNA-dependent recruitment of CBX4 in promoting metastatic cancer. Moving forward, we are using unique mouse models and novel RNA therapeutics to evaluate the lncRNAs therapeutic potential.
In addition to Dr. Silva-Fisher’s role as an Assistant Professor, she serves as both the Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the Division of Oncology and the founder and Director of the Mentorship to Enhance Diversity in Academia program at WUSM. She has mentored >36 pre-graduate and post-graduate students and received the 2024 Dean’s Impact Award for Sponsorship and Mentorship.
Biosketch
Education
- 2011-2006: PhD, Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN
- 2005-2002: BS, Biology, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX
- 2004-2000: Certificate 2+2 program, Biology, San Antonio College, San Antonio, TX
Academic Positions & Employment
- present-2021: Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Section of Stem Cell Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
- 2021-2020: Instructor of Medicine, Investigator Track, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, Section of Stem Cell Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
- 2020-2019: Instructor of Medicine, Research Track, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, Section of Stem Cell Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
- 2019-2014: Postdoctoral Associate, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- 2014-2011: Senior Staff Scientist, McDonnell Genome Institute at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- 2011-2007: Manager, Mayo Clinic Diversity in Education Blog, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN
- 2006-2002: Research Assistant, University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
University & Hospital Appointments & Committees
- present-2024: Chair, Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Alumni Association Women Physicians and Scientists Society Affinity Group Committee
- present-2023: Assistant Director DEI Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine
- present-2023: Advancement of Women Careers Executive Committee, Washington University School of Medicine
- present-2023: Genetic Department Fellow to Faculty Advisory Board Cancer Biology Pathways (Jim Skeath)
- present-2022: The RNA Society DEI Committee, The RNA Society, McLean, VA 22102
- present-2022: Cancer Biology Faculty, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- present-2022: DBBS Cancer Biology Program Admissions Committee, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis
- present-2021: Faculty Advisory Board, Science Coach, Diversity in Cancer Research High School Initiative, WUSTL Cancer Research Club, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
- present-2020: Director, Mentorship to Enhance Diversity in Academia (MEDA) Program, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- present-2019: Associate Member, Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO
- 2024-2023: BIDS@I2DB Advisory Board, Washington University in St. Louis, (Philip Payne, Andrea Krussel)
- 2024-2023: T32 Molecular Oncology Advisory Board, Cancer Biology Pathways (Lee Ratner)
- 2024-2022: Founder and Executive Board, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Alumni Association Women Physicians and Scientists Society Affinity Group Committee
- 2024-2020: Wohl Clinic 9th Floor Seminar Leader, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- 2022-2021: Planning Committee, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Women Physicians and Scientists Society Program
- 2022-2020: General Membership, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- 2020-2016: Co-Chair, Department of Medicine Trainee Inclusion and Cultural Awareness Task Force, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Honors & Awards
- 2024: Atlas of Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx Scientists, Fred Hutch Cancer Center
- 2024: Deans Impact Award, Sponsorship and Mentorship, Washington University in St. Louis
- 2022: National Research Mentoring Network, Culturally Aware Mentoring
- 2021: Harvard Medical School Career Advancement and Leadership Skills for Women in Healthcare Conference, Department of Medicine Scholarship Award
- 2021: NIH National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) Strategic Empowerment Tailored for Health Equity Investigators (SETH) Grant Writing Coaching Awardee
- 2020: Washington University School of Medicine Faculty Diversity Scholar Award
- 2015: AACR Get-Your-Rear-In-Gear (GYRIG) Scholar-In-Training-Award
- 2015: Keystone Symposia Future of Science Fund Scholarship
- 2015: National Cancer Institute (NCI) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grant
- 2011: Mayo Clinic Diversity Champion Award, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Office for Diversity
- 2010: National Institute of Health (NIH) National Graduate Student Research Festival Award
- 2009: Cambridge Who’s Who’s Award among Executives, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs Award
- 2009: AACR Minority Scholars in Cancer Research Award
- 2008: AACR Minority Scholars in Cancer Research Award
- 2007: Student Representative for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Mayo Clinic
- 2006: Certificate of Recognition Award from the Mayor and City Council San Antonio
- 2004: Mayo Clinic Initiative to Maximize Student Diversity Fellowship
- 2004: Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Grant Study Sections
- 2022: NIH NCI Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) Mentored Mock Reviewer (MMR) R01 Grant
Professional Societies & Organizations
- present-2023: Washington University Digestive Disease Research Core
- present-2023: American Society of Hematology (ASH)
- present-2022: Mayo Clinic Alumni Association Women Physicians and Scientists Society Affinity Group
- present-2019: SACNAS
- present-2019: RNA Society
- present-2019: Siteman Cancer Center
- present-2016: The Forum for Women in Internal Medicine (FWIM)
- present-2016: Academic Women’s Network (AWN)
- present-2000: American Association of Cancer Research (AACR)
- present-2000: AACR Women in Cancer Research (WICR)
- present-2000: AACR Minorities in Cancer Research (MICR)
- 2022-2021: RNA Society Mentoring Program (Mentor)
- 2019-2016: Trainee Inclusion and Cultural Awareness Task Force in Department of Medicine
- 2019-2014: National Postdoctoral Association
- 2019-2014: Washington University Postdoctoral Association
- 2018-2014: NGS Leaders
National Scientific Panels/Workshops/Study Sections/Public Engagement
- 2024: NIH Fellowships: Oncological Sciences F09A, Basic and Translational Cancer Review Branch (BTC) Study Section
- 2023: Siteman Cancer Center, Siteman Investment Program Research Development Awards (SIP RDA) Review Study Section
- 2023: National Academies of Sciences (NAS), Ideation Challenge study on Sequencing and Mapping of RNA Modifications, Invitation only
- 2023: NCI-DOE Collaboration AI/ML Working group for virtual portal for biomedical researchers, Invitation only
- 2023: National Academies of Sciences (NAS), Toward Sequencing and Mapping of RNA Modifications: A Hybrid Workshop, Invitation only
- 2023: NIH Early Career Reviewer (ECR) Program, Gene Regulation in Cancer (GRIC) Grant Review Study Section
- 2022: NIH NCI Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) Mentored Mock Reviewer (MMR) R01 grant reviewer/discussant