About Our Research

The Califano laboratory investigates the molecular and immunologic basis of head and neck neoplasia, employing integrative computational techniques in concert with molecular, in vitro, and in vivo techniques to define opportunities for therapeutic intervention in a variety of tumors. Current areas of investigation include furthering the understanding of the genomic, epigenomic, and chromatin structural underpinnings of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the influence of cannabinoids on intrinsic and immunologic networks that promote HPV mediated head and neck cancer, the role of Notch signaling in head and neck cancer, as well as novel, genomically informed techniques for detection of HPV-related and other head and neck cancers. Dr. Califano is Professor of Surgery and as well as Director of the Hanna and Mark Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center, as well as Physician in Chief of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. He has published over 300 articles related to both the clinical and basic scientific aspects of cancer, and currently serves as the Co-chair of the NCI Head and Neck PULA Task Force, as a Council Member of the American Head and Neck Society, on the NCCN Board of Directors, as well as other professional organizations and editorial boards.