Thomas M. Roberts

Thomas M. Roberts is a Professor at Harvard University, where he leads a prominent research program in molecular oncology and cancer biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Harvard University and has since established a distinguished career investigating the molecular mechanisms driving cancer progression. His research is centered on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, a critical regulator of cell growth and survival that is frequently dysregulated in human cancers. A major focus of his work involves studying the tumor suppressor PTEN, whose loss activates oncogenic signaling and influences tumor immunology and therapeutic resistance, as highlighted in recent studies on PTEN loss promoting tumorigenesis and driving immune resistance. Additionally, Professor Roberts explores virus-based gene therapy approaches and the pathogenesis of polyomaviruses, linking viral mechanisms to cancer development. His laboratory employs genetic, biochemical, and translational models to uncover novel therapeutic targets and strategies. With an h-index of 98 and over 400 publications, his contributions have significantly advanced the understanding of kinase signaling networks in cancer. His work is recognized through numerous citations and ongoing investigations into dual modes of gene regulation by kinases like CDK12, reflecting a sustained impact on the field of cancer research and molecular therapeutics.