Closeup of Nancy León-Rivera

Nancy León-Rivera, B.A.

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Doctoral Student

SDSU / UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Cell and Molecular Biology

San Diego

Phone
Location
BSCI 2102
5500 Campanile Dr
San Diego, CA, 92182
Mail Code
4614
Fax
Accounts

Areas of Expertise

Cell and Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Tumor-Microenvironment

Student Opportunities

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Bio

My research focuses on understanding the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer progression. Specifically, I study how autophagy—a process that degrades and recycles damaged parts of the cell—supports CAFs in creating a tumor-friendly microenvironment.

Using transgenic mouse models and aggressive breast cancer cell lines, I’m investigating how blocking autophagy in these fibroblasts impacts tumor growth, desmoplasia, and metastasis.

This work aims to uncover new therapeutic targets by disrupting the supportive relationship between cancer cells and their microenvironment.

mentors

Teresa Monkkonen, Ph.D.

Details

Education
  1. Bachelor of Arts in Biology & Chemistry
    Whittier College, Whittier, CA
Publications
  1. Filipowska, J., Cisneros, Z., Leon-Rivera, N., Wang, P., Kang, R., Lu, G., Yuan, Y. C., Bhattacharya, S., Dhawan, S., Garcia-Ocaña, A., Kondegowda, N. G., & Vasavada, R. C.(2024). LGR4 is essential for maintaining β-cell homeostasis through suppression of RANK. bioRxiv: the preprint server for biology, 2024.05.10.593645. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.10.593645
  2. Kondegowda, N. G., Filipowska, J., Do, J. S., Leon-Rivera, N., Li, R., Hampton, R., Ogyaadu, S., Levister, C., Penninger, J. M., Reijonen, H., Levy, C. J., & Vasavada, R. C. (2023). RANKL/RANK is required for cytokine-induced beta cell death; osteoprotegerin, a RANKL inhibitor, reverses rodent type 1 diabetes. Science advances, 9(44), eadf5238. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adf5238
  3. Filipowska J, Kondegowda NG, Leon-Rivera N, Dhawan S, Vasavada RC. LGR4, a G Protein-Coupled Receptor With a Systemic Role: From Development to Metabolic Regulation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 May 30;13:867001. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.867001. PMID: 35707461; PMCID: PMC9190282
  4. Ochoa JM, Mijares O, Acosta AA, Escoto X, Leon-Rivera N, Marshall JD, Sawaya MR, Yeates TO. Structural characterization of hexameric shell proteins from two types of choline- utilization bacterial microcompartments. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun. 2021 Sep 1;77(Pt 9):275-285. doi: 10.1107/S2053230X21007470. Epub 2021 Aug 24. PMID: 34473104; PMCID: PMC8411931
Presentations
  1. Nancy Leόn-Rivera, Teresa Monkkonen. Exploring the Role of Autophagy in Cancer- Associated Fibroblasts: Implications for Tumor Desmoplasia and Metastasis. San Diego State University/ UC San Diego Cancer Research and Education to Advance HealTh Equity (CREATE) Research Symposium, San Diego, CA, January 28, 2025. Poster
  2. Nancy Leόn-Rivera, Megan Keene, Teresa Monkkonen. Impact of Autophagy in Stromal Fibroblasts on Tumor Desmoplasia and Metastasis. Symposium And Luncheon Underscoring Diversity (SALUD) in Biological Science, San Diego, CA, October 18, 2024. Poster.
Service
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Grants
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Clinical Trials
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Awards & Honors
  1. John Greenleaf Whittier Merit Scholarship – Fall 2015 – Spring 2019
  2. Dean’s List Recipient, Whittier College – Spring 2019
  3. Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award in Chemistry, Whittier College – Spring 2019
  4. National Institutes of Health Post Baccalaureate Research Experience Programs Grant, – UCSC 2019-2020
  5. Prebys Biomedical Research Endowed Scholarship, SDSU – Fall 2023
  6. 1st Place Best Poster Presentation, Symposium And Luncheon Underscoring Diversity (SALUD) in Biological Science, Scripps Research – Fall 2024
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Media
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Fun Facts
  1. Watch scary movies, spend time with friends/family, go to the beach and stop for boba on the way.