Maria Cuevas, Professor of Biology, teaches in the areas of physiology, endocrinology and reproduction. Her research focuses on endometrial cancer.

Teaching Philosophy:

I see my role as a teacher to challenge my students and prepare them well for whatever postgraduate path they chose. To accomplish this, I have focused on inspiring my students to engage in their studies, to be curious beyond their disciplines, to understand that learning embodies a lifelong process and encouraged them to take ownership for their learning.  It is the experience of doing that helps us grow both in our personal and professional lives.

Education

PhD, Boston University 1992
MS, Northwestern University 1985
B.S., Purdue University 1982

In collaboration with Dr. Todd, she studies the molecular changes that lead to the destabilization of tight junction proteins and the possible correlation of those changes with cancer development and progression.

External Grants: 

• Crump Medical Research Foundation Grant (2018 &2016)
• W.M. Keck Undergradaute Education Grant (2014)-Project Director
• Crump Grant from JP Morgan Foundation for Cancer Research (2014)
• Sam Taylor Fellowship (2017, 2014, 2012, 2007)
• The Fantra-Love Endowed Fund (2013)
• ACS Andrew W. Mellon Faculty Renewal Grant (2011)
• National Science Foundation Major Instrumentation Grant (2009-2012)
• Andrew W. Mellon Integrated Scholarly Grant (2010-2011)
• Andrew W. Mellon Integrated Scholarly Grant (2008-2009)
• JP Morgan Grant (To the Dept. of Biology/Cellular/Molecular BiologyResearchers-2007-2010)

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS

* = undergraduate author

Sheller, RA, Cuevas ME and Todd MC. 2017. Comparison of transepithelial resistance measurement techniques: Chopstick vs. Endohm. Biological Proceedings Online

Cuevas ME, Gaska JM*, Gist AC*, King JM, Sheller RA and Todd MC. 2015. Estrogen-dependent expression and subcellular localization of the tight junction protein claudin-4 in the endometrial HEC-1A cancer cells. Int. J. Oncol. in press

Cuevas ME and Lindeman TE*. 2015. In vitro cytotoxicity of 4’-OH-tamoxifen and estradiol in human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells HEC-1A and HEC-1B. Oncology Reports 33:464-470.

Todd MC, Petty HH, King JM, Pianna-Marshall BN, Sheller RA and Cuevas ME. 2015 Overexpression and delocalization of claudin-3 protein in MCF-7 and MDA-MB_415 breast cancer cell lines. Oncology letters 10:156-162.

Cuevas, M.E. and Seilheimer, K.* 2008. In vitro cytotoxic activity of anthrapyrazole analogues in human prosate (DU-145) and testicular (NETRA-2) carcinoma cells. Oncology Reports 20:239-244.

Cuevas, M.E., Collins, K. and Callard, G.V. 1993. Stage-related changes in steroid converting enzyme activities in Squalus testis: Synthesis of biologically active metabolites via 3beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase (3 b -HSD) and 5alpha-reductase. Steroids 58:87-94.

Cuevas, M.E., Miller, W. and Callard, G.V. 1992. Sulfoconjugation of steroids and the vascular pathway communication in dogfish testis. J. Exp. Zool. 264:119-129.

Cuevas, M.E. and Callard, G.V. 1992. In vitro steroid secretion by staged-spermatocysts (Sertoli/germ cell units) of dogfish (Squalus acanthias) testis. Gen. Comp. Endo. 88:151-165.

Cuevas, M.E. and Callard, G.V. 1992. Androgen and progesterone receptors in shark (Squalus) testis: characteristics and stage-related distribution. Endocrinology 130(4):2173-2182.

ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS

*Denotes collaborative research with undergraduate:

Cuevas M and Todd M. 2017. Overexpression of claudin-3 tight junction protein in endometrial cancer cell lines and tumor tissues derived from African American women. The 10^th American Association of Cancer Research Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Atlanta GA September 25-28. Abstract published in the AACR Meeting Proceedings, nr B67.

Cuevas M, Gallo M*, Rice K*, Vickers T*, King J, Sheller R and Todd M. 2015. Hormonal Effect on Occludin Expression in the Endometiral Adenocarcinoma HEC-1A and HEC-1B cell lines. The Endocrine Society Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA March 5-8. Abstract was published in the April issue of Endocrine Reviews.

Petty HM*, King JM, Cuevas ME, Sheller RA and Todd MC. 2013. Effect of claudin-3 protein expression on its sub-cellular localization and cellular motility in breast cancer cell lines. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Sheller RA, Bierwirth NA*, DeLong RL*, Cuevas ME and Todd MC. 2013. Subcellular distribution of claudin-3 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. American Society for Cell Biology, ASCB 53rd Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.

Cuevas ME, Sheller RA, Holland A*, Piana B* and Todd MC. April 2011. Expression and sub-cellular localization of claudin-4 in MCF-7 breast and HEC-1A endometrial cancer cell lines. Amercian Association for Cancer Resarch, Orlando, FL.

Sheller RA, Cuevas ME and Todd MC. 2009. Overexpression of claudin-3 in a breast cancer cell line. American Society of Cell Biology. ASCB 49th Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. Poster Published online: http://posters.f1000.com/PosterList?&posterID=31

Todd MC, Cuevas ME, Piana B* and Sheller RA. April 2009. Overexpression of claudin-3 tight junction protein in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-415 breast cancer cell lines. American Association for Cancer Research, Denver, CO.

*Seilheimer KC, Guziec FS and Cuevas ME. 2007. Cytotoxicity of anthrapyrazoles (AP-10 and AP-11) on human prostate cancer (DU-145) and testicular cancer (NETRA-2) in culture. Texas Academy of Science: Baylor University, Waco, TX

*Seilheimer KC, *Boet C, Guziec FS and Cuevas ME. 2007. Cytotoxicity of anthrapyrazoles in various reproductive cancer cell lines. AAAS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA

*Navaira E and Cuevas ME. 2007. In vitro effects of 4-OH tamoxifen and 17b-estradiol on the human cervical cell line HeLa. Texas Academy of Science: Baylor University, Waco, TX