Steven Tau

A graduate of the University of Rochester with a Chemical Engineering degree, Steven is an MD-PhD student in the Miller lab in the Cancer Biology PhD program. Adjuvant endocrine therapy has been successful in the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, but recurrences occur in ~1/3 of patients and most become metastatic. Recurrence is caused by drug-tolerant persister cancer cells (DTPs) that are able to survive even after years of endocrine therapy. The work in the Miller lab has found that metabolic reprogramming characterized by increased mitochondrial content, OXPHOS flux, and altered redox status. We are evaluating the tractability of targeting metabolic reprogramming as a method of eliminating DTPs. Steven's hobbies include running, hiking the Whites, cycling, skiing, gardening, and reading.