The McFall Lab
Our Lab
The Ras protein stands as one of the most extensively studied oncogenes in cancer biology, with mutations found in approximately 30% of human cancers. As a critical molecular switch within the MAPK signaling cascade, Ras oscillates between active (GTP-bound) and inactive (GDP-bound) conformational states, thereby regulating essential cellular processes including proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Oncogenic Ras mutations typically result in constitutive activation, leading to the dysregulated expression of downstream effector genes that drive malignant transformation.
The McFall laboratory seeks to advance our mechanistic understanding of Ras biology by systematically characterizing the distinct functional properties of mutant variants across the three major Ras isoforms: KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS. Our research challenges prevailing paradigms by emphasizing isoform-specific and mutation-specific differences in protein-protein interactions within the broader signaling network. Through the development of isogenic cell line models utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, we investigate Ras function in clinically relevant contexts, with particular emphasis on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Our integrated approach combines advanced biochemical and biophysical methodologies to dissect the unique molecular mechanisms underlying individual Ras mutants. This work aims to provide the foundational knowledge necessary for the development of precision oncology strategies, ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes for patients harboring specific Ras alterations.
Dr. Thomas McFall
Principle Investigator
Tommy an assistant professor in the biochemistry department at the Medical College of Wisconsin is the PI for our lab. Holds a BS and an MS from Northern Michigan University. Then went on to receive an MBA from the Donald W. Main School of Business Davenport University. After concluding his MBA he then got is PhD in Oncology and Cancer Biology from Wayne State University School of Medicine Karmanos Institute. Is post doctoral training took place at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
He is here at MCW to investigate the gap between the mechanistic studies of biochemistry and their clinical applications. His main research focus is to dive deeper into the RAS protein signaling pathway, bringing a mathematical and statistical approach to the biological process. He along with his lab members study this pathway in pancreas, colorectal, kidney, and lung cancers. Tommy is a pretty casual man in and outside of office and makes it a point to drive a positive and lighthearted workspace for both his staff and students.
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Raven Davidson
Lab Manager
Raven is the Lab Coordinator for the McFall lab. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from Boston College in 2021. Raven then moved to Wisconsin to pursue technician work in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at MCW before joining the McFall lab in 2022. Her extensive benchtop and animal work, combined with key organizational skills, led her to secure the Lab Coordinator position in the McFall lab. Raven enjoys keeping the lab functional and efficient, ensuring everyone has the resources and tools to complete their work. She plans to continue supporting the lab while earning a secondary degree in the coming years. In her free time, Raven enjoys being outdoors, working on art projects, playing video games, and spending quality time with her cat (and friends).
Matt Socher
Post Doctorate
Matt is a Postdoctoral Researcher at MCW, where he are applies his data science expertise to study the pancreatic cancer. Originally from Cleveland, OH, he brings a wealth of experience from his data science career, including leading the Data Science team at Ginkgo Bioworks, where he leveraged automation and machine learning to curate and merge large synthetic biology datasets. Prior to that, he spent five years at Progressive Insurance, deploying machine learning models to personalize customer experiences and predict driver risk from telematics data.
In his academic career, Matt researched the lac repressor, merging in vivo and in vitro studies to demonstrate precise control over gene regulation. During his postdoctoral work, they re-engineered the lac repressor for gene therapeutic applications, showcasing reversible gene expression in living mice.
Daniel Dorbin
PhD Candidate
Daniel is our senior grad student. He is from Colorado and earned his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Arizona State University, with a concentration in cellular and molecular biology. At MCW, Daniel has worked on a plethora of projects spanning multiple disciplines, but his dissertation project focuses on repurposing existing/approved medications in alternative contexts to convert pro-oncogenic signals into anti-proliferative signals.
Daniel possesses advanced biochemical, cell culture, research design, and public speaking skills and employs these skillsets beyond the McFall Lab. Daniel is active on multiple MCW- and student-led committees, mentors first-year students, and volunteers regularly at community centers focusing on suicide prevention. Daniel brings a lively and vibrant energy to the lab that brightens the room.
Juliannie Hererra
PhD Candidate
Juliannie is a second-year graduate student from Belize. She earned her B.S. in Biology from the University of Detroit Mercy, where her work in an ecology lab investigating the genetic diversity of endangered birds sparked her passion for research. Motivated to make a difference, she pursued graduate studies. What drew her to the McFall lab was its focus on precision medicine whilst challenging the existing research in the Ras field.
Her current project investigates the characteristics of multiple Ras mutants in colorectal cancer. Understanding their unique behaviors could be beneficial in determining better combination therapies specific to the mutations. Juliannie is excited and grateful to conduct meaningful research under the guidance of a supportive mentor and collaborative lab environment. Outside the lab, she enjoys reading, baking for loved ones, and listening to music. When in Belize, she loves spending time with her chihuahua, Mimi, and relaxing by the seaside.
Forough Sayahpour
Research Technician
Forough is one of our two research technicians who joined the lab in January 2025. Before that, she worked at the School of Dentistry at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She holds a master’s degree in Molecular Cell Biology from the Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran, and spent over a decade in the Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at the Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR. Her research background spans regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, molecular biology, gene expression analysis, and mesenchymal stem cell biology — including applications, differentiation, in-vitro expansion, and senescence.
Ella Scheuber
Research Technician
Ella is one of our two research technicians. She is from Wauwatosa WI and earned an undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University in Biology with a concentration in Cellular and Molecular Biology. She spent the majority of her undergraduate degree learning techniques that would round out her experience as a young scientist. She possesses cell culture, recombinant DNA, and scanning electron microscopy technique skills. She is here to broaden her knowledge of niche genetic research and therapeutic treatment strategies for cancer patients.
In Ella’s free time she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She also enjoys walking, hiking, biking, listening to music, trying new foods, and baking.
Lab
Alumni
Anita Guizar
Biochemistry Masters Graduate
Anita was born and raised in Milwaukee WI. She earned her BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She joined the McFall lab soon after as a research technologist before joining the Interdisciplinary Program at MCW. Anita received a MS in Biochemistry in 2024 through defense of her thesis, "The Role of Wild-Type Ras in Regulating Intrinsic Resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors."
In her free time Anita enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. She also volunteers regularly with her church. Anita is passionate about expressing herself through her love of fashion and makeup. She also is quite passionate about music as she has been playing the guitar since she was four years old, she owns six guitars and three violins.
Jaquelyn Whitmann
Medical Student
Jacqui joined the McFall Lab in summer 2025 through MCW’s Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP). Originally from Oconomowoc, WI, she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a physics minor from Loyola University Chicago. She previously worked in the Sigmund Lab as part of MCW’s Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR), where she gained experience in cell culture, Western Blotting, and transfection. Jacqui also collaborates with Dr. Mandana Kamgar, an expert in precision medicine and medical oncology, on clinical research analyzing individualized therapies for patients with pancreatic cancer. During her gap year before medical school, she worked as a medical assistant at an urgent care clinic, further developing her clinical skills. She is passionate about translating discoveries from bench research to bedside care, with current specialty interests in oncology, cardiology, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine.