The Goel Laboratory was founded by Associate Professor Shom Goel, a physician-scientist, in 2019. We are a team of fundamental and translational researchers, positioned at the intersection of cell cycle biology, epigenetics, and immunology in cancer. We focus on understanding the intricate cell cycle machinery and its impact on both cancer cells and the surrounding stromal cells. Our ultimate goal is to leverage our discoveries to design new drug therapies that improve the lives of people with cancer, with a particular emphasis on breast cancer. 

Our work on cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and CDK inhibitors has been published in high-impact journals such as Nature, Cancer Cell, Cancer Discovery, and Nature Cancer. Importantly, key discoveries from our lab have paved the way for large-scale clinical trials, published in Lancet Oncology and Clinical Cancer Research. Currently, we are exploring fundamental unanswered questions about tumour dormancy and therapy-induced senescence, with a strong focus on epigenetics and single-cell biology.

At the heart of the Goel Laboratory’s mission lies a deep understanding of the human toll of cancer. Breast cancer patients’ lives are often impacted whilst they are living demanding lives - working, raising children, and managing other care giving roles. The disease extends its impact to their families, many of whom depend on them as primary caregivers. With years of experience as a medical oncologist, Shom has witnessed these challenges firsthand, and this cascading human impact continues to drive our commitment to taking discoveries from the bench to the bedside.

 Every effective cancer therapy begins with scientific innovation. We believe that advancing our understanding of cancer biology is essential to improving outcomes for patients and their loved ones. Within our laboratory you will find a group of dedicated individuals who thrive on problem-solving, think deeply about science, and are united by a shared purpose: to push the boundaries of cancer research and improve health outcomes for those affected by this disease.