Dr. Cheresh is a Distinguished Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Pathology at UC San Diego, and a member of the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. 

Dr. Cheresh earned his PhD in Immunology at the University of Miami in 1982.

Prior to relocating his laboratory to UCSD in 2005, Dr. Cheresh was a professor in the Departments of Immunology and Vascular Biology at The Scripps Research Institute.

Our research focuses on the overarching theme of how cell surface receptors mediate an invasive phenotype by promoting adaptations that support survival in the face of stress.  

While this is a critical component of physiological remodeling processes such as angiogenesis, tumor cells often hijack these same pathways to promote metastasis and tumor progression.  

We combine basic and translational cancer research to develop new strategies for cancer therapy.       

Our main lab is located in the “Sanford Consortium” building next to the Torrey Pines South golf course and across the street from UCSD’s main campus in La Jolla. 

Our building is home to investigators from UCSD, Salk, Burnham, and TSRI who study regenerative medicine and cancer stem cells.  

Dr. Cheresh is also a member of the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, offering collaboration between basic and physician scientists as well as access to a variety of shared resources.