Rate My Professor Nic Bougen-Zhukov

Bougen-Zhukov's research specialization in cancer genetics centers on identifying synthetic lethal vulnerabilities in E-cadherin (CDH1)-deficient cells, which are characteristic of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) and sporadic lobular breast cancers. She investigates drug targets and chemopreventative compounds using a pipeline that progresses from cell lines and organoids to mouse models, aiming for eventual human trials. Her work addresses clinical challenges in treating these aggressive cancers. Key publications include 'Allosteric AKT Inhibitors Target Synthetic Lethal Vulnerabilities in E-Cadherin-Deficient Cells' (Cancers, 2019), 'Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer: updated clinical practice guidelines' (The Lancet Oncology, 2020), 'Discovery of AL-GDa62 as a Potential Synthetic Lethal Lead for the Treatment of Gastric Cancer' (Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2021), 'E-Cadherin-Deficient Cells Are Sensitive to the Multikinase Inhibitor Dasatinib' (Cancers, 2022), 'E-Cadherin-Deficient Epithelial Cells Are Sensitive to HDAC Inhibitors' (Cancers, 2021), and 'E-cadherin loss in Cd44-positive gastric cells initiates diffuse gastric cancer in a murine model' (Gut, 2026). These contributions have garnered over 750 citations and supported funding for cancer research initiatives at Otago, enhancing therapeutic strategies for CDH1-related malignancies.