Research/Areas of Interest
Dr.Munger's research group investigates the molecular mechanisms that underlie the oncogenic potential of "high-risk" human papillomaviruses (HPVs). These viruses are responsible for nearly all cases of cervical carcinoma and a substantial proportion of other anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. While cervical cancer incidence has been declining in the United States, the rates of HPV-associated anal and oral cancers are increasing, and overall, HPVs are causin approximately 5% of human cancers, worldwide.
Current prophylactic modalities do not impact disease progression in individuals who are already infected and hence high-risk HPV infections will continue to pose a significant public health burden for the foreseeable future.
Our work aims to elucidate the molecular interactions between the HPV oncoproteins and host cellular pathways, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets and advancing our understanding of virus-induced carcinogenesis.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Zurich, Switzerland, 1986
Biography
During his postdoctoral training, Dr. Munger's research shifted toward human papillomaviruses (HPVs), a group of viruses implicated in several human cancers, most notably cervical carcinoma and oropharyngeal cancers. He made seminal contributions to the field, including the identification of the two major oncogenic HPV proteins, E6 and E7, and elucidation of E7's mechanism of inactivating the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein.
Following his promotion to Visiting Associate at the NIH, where he led a small research group, Dr. Munger joined the faculty at Harvard Medical School. There, he rose through the academic ranks and was promoted to Professor of Medicine in 2013. During his time at Harvard, he held visiting appointments at the University of Padua (Italy), the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, DC, and the G. R. Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratory at MIT.
In 2014, Dr. Munger relocated his research group to Tufts University School of Medicine, where he currently serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology. He maintains a robust, NIH-funded research program while also contributing actively to graduate education. Dr. Munger teaches in multiple courses, mentors undergraduate, master's, and P.hD. students as well as postdocs, and serves on numerous thesis advisory committees.
Dr. Munger has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, which have received more than 40,000 citations. He serves on the editorial boards of several scientific journals and participates in grant review activities for national and international funding agencies.