Translational discovery at the Phoenix Bioscience Core
Kalin LabDiscovery → Translation
Artistic visualization of alveoli, lung microvasculature, and therapeutic nanoparticles

Cancer biology · Lung regeneration · Therapeutic discovery

Kalin LabReprogramming disease.Restoring repair.

Led by Dr. Tatiana V. Kalin in Phoenix, Arizona, we uncover the signaling networks that drive cancer and unresolved lung injury—then turn those insights into more precise, restorative therapies.

Explore our research Start a collaboration
20+years of translational research
80+peer-reviewed publications
2connected disease programs

Our north starBetter outcomes through biology that can be translated.

Research programs

Complex disease.
Connected solutions.

Cancer and chronic lung injury share a crucial interface: the vascular microenvironment. We study that interface across molecules, cells, tissues, and living systems.

01Cancer therapeutics

Targeting tumors and the ecosystems that sustain them

We investigate combination therapies for childhood sarcomas and lung cancer, with parallel strategies aimed at tumor cells, angiogenesis, and cancer-associated fibroblasts.

SarcomaTumor biologyDrug discovery
02Vascular biology

Normalizing the tumor microenvironment

Our work examines endothelial signaling—including the FOXF1/FZD4 axis—to understand how healthier blood vessels can limit hypoxia, progression, and metastasis.

FOXF1 / FZD4EndotheliumAngiogenesis
03Lung regeneration

Repairing the lung after unresolved injury

We develop nanoparticle and endothelial progenitor cell approaches to improve vascular repair after radiation, chemotherapy, viral infection, and fibrotic lung injury.

Pulmonary fibrosisNanoparticlesCell therapy

How we work

From mechanism to medicine

We pair clinically relevant questions with human samples, ex vivo systems, and animal models—then design delivery strategies that can move a discovery toward impact.

Discuss a collaboration
  1. 01
    Discover

    Map abnormal signaling networks.

  2. 02
    Model

    Test biology across translational systems.

  3. 03
    Deliver

    Engineer targeted therapeutic strategies.

  4. 04
    Translate

    Move the strongest ideas toward patients.

Our people

Curious minds.
Shared purpose.

We are researchers, clinicians, trainees, and collaborators united by a practical question: how can a deeper understanding of disease become a better therapy?

Dr. Tatiana Kalin in her laboratoryPrincipal Investigator

Laboratory leadership

Dr. Tatiana “Tanya” Kalin

Professor of Child Health and Internal Medicine · Vice Chair of Translational Research

Dr. Kalin brings more than two decades of experience developing therapeutic approaches for cancer and chronic lung disease. Her program connects transcriptional and vascular biology with drug discovery, gene delivery, and regenerative medicine.

Email Dr. Kalin View publications
Portrait of Wen GaoPericytes · Pulmonary fibrosis

Wen Gao

Researcher / Scientist III

Portrait of Xiaomei XiaTranslational models · Laboratory research

Xiaomei Xia

Researcher / Scientist III

Portrait of Dr. Abhinay GontuCancer biology · Lung injury

Dr. Abhinay Gontu

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Endothelial regeneration · Single-cell biology

Dr. Meghana Murthy

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Bioinformatics · Data analysis

Kara Ramirez, M.S.

Bioinformatician

Postdoctoral research · Translational science

Dr. Mostafa Elberry

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Rhabdomyosarcoma · Cancer therapeutics

Tiffany Juan

MD/PhD Student

Portrait of Jocelyn GerkenSummer research · Translational science

Jocelyn Gerken

2026 Summer Flinn Foundation Intern

Life in the lab

Our best work grows through generous mentorship, open questions, and the everyday exchange of ideas at the bench.

01/ 04
Kalin Lab members and Flinn interns gathered at the Phoenix Bioscience Core
Together at the Phoenix Bioscience CoreKalin Lab members and Flinn interns · August 2026

Selected publications

Recent work,
verified and current.

Full PubMed record

11 publications

01
June 29, 2026Original research

Fibrosis · Pericytes

Emergence of fibrotic pericytes and their transcriptional regulation in pulmonary fibrosis

Gao W, Lan Y-W, Deng Z, et al.; Kalin TV

Nature Communications
Article PubMed
02
March 6, 2026Original research

Cancer · Rhabdomyosarcoma

FOXM1 inhibitor, RCM-1, enhances venetoclax mediated apoptosis through downregulation of ATP2B4 in rhabdomyosarcoma

Merjaneh N, Lan Y-W, Deng Z, et al.; Kalin TV

International Journal of Oncology
Article PubMed
03
February 12, 2026Original research

Vascular biology · Lung injury

FOXF2 regulates pericyte–endothelial signaling required for vascular homeostasis after neonatal hyperoxic lung injury

Sun F, Zhao Y, Do J, et al.; Kalin TV; Kalinichenko VV

Nature Communications
Article PubMed
04
September 9, 2025Review

Cancer · Nanoparticles

Nanoparticle-Based Delivery Systems for Synergistic Therapy in Lung Cancers

Deng Z, Al Siraj A, Lowry I, et al.; Gao W; Kalin TV

Bioengineering
Article PubMed
05
July 24, 2025Protocol

Gene therapy · Methods

Protocol for minicircle production for gene therapy without subsequent cleanup steps

Do J, Verma G, Maurice Y, et al.; Kalin TV; Kalinichenko VV

STAR Protocols
Article PubMed
06
June 19, 2024Original research

FOXF1 · Lung development

Identification of endothelial and mesenchymal FOXF1 enhancers involved in alveolar capillary dysplasia

Wang G, Wen B, Guo M, et al.; Kalin TV; Kalinichenko VV

Nature Communications
Article PubMed

Active research support

R01 HL177800

Therapeutic targeting of pulmonary endothelial cells to inhibit pathological lung remodeling

This NHLBI-supported program advances endothelial FOXF1/R-Ras gene delivery and regenerative cell strategies designed to restore the lung microvasculature and limit fibrosis.

NIH / NHLBIAgency2025–2028Project periodTanya KalinPrincipal investigator
Lab mentorship · August 2026

Kalin Lab welcomes a Flinn Foundation summer research intern

University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix

Read the story ↗Latest paper · June 2026

How fibrotic pericytes emerge—and how their programs may be changed

Nature Communications

Read the study ↗New research · March 2026

Pairing RCM-1 with venetoclax in rhabdomyosarcoma

International Journal of Oncology

Read the study ↗
Selected completed research support +
  • R01 HL158659Role of lung endothelial cells in pulmonary fibrosis · 2021–2026
  • R01 HL152973Novel therapies for alveolar capillary dysplasia · 2021–2026
  • DOD LC220104Transcriptional reprogramming of tumor-associated endothelial cells · 2023–2025
A Flinn intern and mentor discussing microscopy images
Mentorship & trainingLearn by asking better questions.

Grow with us

Build your foundation in a collaborative lab.

Trainees learn how to move from an observation to a testable idea—and from a careful experiment to a clear scientific story.

  • 01
    In-lab shadowing

    See how translational research works day to day.

  • 02
    Experimental design

    Plan experiments, controls, and development paths.

  • 03
    Scientific communication

    Practice grant writing, interpretation, and presentation.

Ask about training

Connect

Let’s move a good question forward.

We welcome scientific collaborations, trainee inquiries, and conversations about translating vascular biology into new therapeutic directions.

Email the lab
Visit475 N. 5th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Call+1 (602) 827-3342
Time zoneMountain Standard Time
Phoenix · GMT−7
AffiliationsPhoenix Children’s Research Institute
UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix