Credentials
Johns Hopkins University
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
Baltimore, Maryland
Director of the Division of Quantitative Sciences
Co-Director of the Convergence Institute and Single Cell Consortium
Associate Professor, Departments of Oncology, Applied Mathematics and Statistics,
and Biomedical Engineering
Research Projects
Dr. Elana Fertig’s research develops computational methods for a systems biology approach to model the response and resistance to cancer therapies for applications in precision medicine.
She is collaborating with NFCR-supported scientist, Dr. Lisa Coussens. Their research is identifying and validating signatures of different cell states to predict a patient’s response to four different therapies administered sequentially to treat triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most difficult-to-treat breast cancer.
Dr. Fertig’s expertise in single-cell multi-omics algorithm development and their application to analysis of molecular/cellular pathways of therapeutic response/resistance in cancer will facilitate the uncovering of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying response and resistance to immunotherapy.
IMPACT
This collaborative research will help stratify patients and guide precision delivery of immunotherapy and monitor patient’s response and resistance to therapy. Importantly, these approaches will be applicable across cancer types beyond TNBC.
Background
Dr. Elana Fertig is Director of the Division of Quantitative Sciences, and Associate Director for Quantitative Sciences at Johns Hopkins University Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, and holds joint appointments in Applied Mathematics and Statistics and Biomedical Engineering.
Elana Fertig received her bachelor of science in physics and mathematics at Brandies University in 2003 and her Ph.D. in applied mathematics at University of Maryland, College Park in 2007. She joined Johns Hopkins University in 2010 as an Instructor in Dept. of Oncology.
Her lab has pioneered non-negative matrix factorization and transfer learning for single-cell multi-omics, and is recognized for blending mathematical modeling and artificial intelligence for applications to precision medicine. These computational techniques have broad applicability spanning beyond cancer to developmental biology and neuroscience. Prior to entering the field of cancer systems biology, Dr. Fertig was a NASA Research Fellow in Numerical Weather Prediction.
Dr. Fertig serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Cell Systems and the editorial boards of PLoS Computational Biology, Cancer Research Communications, and eLife. Dr. Fertig’s research accomplishments have been acknowledged as the Daniel Nathans Scientific Investigator at Johns Hopkins University, winner of the HPN-DREAM8 Challenge, and in Nature Methods Method of the Year 2020.
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Cancer Type Areas
Related Updates
Questions You Should Be Asking Your Oncologist
The results are in, and you have cancer. Though no appointment will be stress-free, the first appointment with your oncologist is often the most difficult. It’s scary, you’re unfamiliar with the jargon, and you have so many questions and worries racing through your mind that it is hard to focus. Because of this, it is vital to prepare for your first appointment – and knowing what to ask is essential. Write Down Questions as They Come Up From the moment you have your diagnosis, keep a notebook handy where you can document every question that comes into your mind. There will be a lot, and it will be impossible to remember all of them without recording them. Writing questions as they come helps keep your thoughts in order and allows you to be your own advocate. Even with the best care team in the world, there is no better advocate for you than you. Basic Questions to Ask Your Oncologist Not sure what to ask? The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) has your back. Get the conversation rolling with questions like these: 1. Where did my cancer originate? Has it spread? This will likely be the first thing your care team discusses, but it is essential that you fully understand your diagnosis. 2. Is there a genetic link to this type of cancer? Should my family members be tested? Many cancers are genetic, and this question can potentially save lives. 3. What treatment options are available? Ask your care team what they recommend and why. There may be numerous options, and your doctor should be able to explain the pros and cons of each one. 4. What happens if the treatment approach doesn’t work? Knowing this will help your peace of mind, but it also allows you to assess if your care team is the right fit. Some teams may be more risk-averse, and others may be more willing to try new therapies. Speak to your care team about how/when they consider a treatment unsuccessful and what the next steps would be. 5. How will you help me manage side effects? Review the potential side effects and what support you can receive. Speaking about side effects early on will allow your care plan to be proactive rather than reactive. 6. What will my treatment cost? Cancer treatments can be expensive, and you will want to prepare for this. Your care team can also discuss what treatments your insurance may cover and what options it will not. 7. What can I do to preserve my fertility? If you want biological children in the future, this is vital to ask. Addressing it after treatment begins can be too late. 8. What impact will treatment have on my lifestyle? It may be unavoidable, but preparing for any impact on your lifestyle can make the transition easier. 9. Where can I get more information or support? Your care team deals with diagnoses day in and day out. They are a wealth of information and can point you toward resources, groups, and more. NFCR may also be able to help via our Patient Assistance […]
