Samantha Torquato’s research currently focuses on elucidating the molecular biology of parasites that infect endangered wildlife. The laboratory studies parasitic nematodes from land mammals (such as zebras and rhinoceroses) and marine mammals (such as seals and sea lions) with the ultimate goal of eliminating these harmful infections. Many of the laboratory projects emphasize the development of DNA-based diagnostics so that we can properly identify, treat, and manage these parasitic diseases in veterinary clinics and rescue centers.

Representative Publications

Williams, K. M., Fessler, M. K., Bloomfield, R. A.*, Sandke, W. D.*, Malekshahi, C. R.*, Keroack, C. D., Duignanb, P. J., Torquato, S. D., Williams, S. A. (2020). A Novel Quantitative Real-Time PCR Diagnostic Assay for Fecal and Nasal Swab Detection of an Otariid Lungworm, Parafilaroides decorus. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 12, 85-92. doi:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.04.012

Torquato S, Pallavajjala A, Goldstein A, Toro PV, Silberstein JL, Lee J, … Hurley PJ. (2019). Genetic Alterations Detected in Cell-Free DNA Are Associated With Enzalutamide and Abiraterone Resistance in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. JCO Precision Oncology, 3. doi:10.1200/PO.18.00227

Hughes RM, Simons BW, Khan H, Miller R, Kugler V, Torquato S, … Hurley PJ. (2019). Asporin Restricts Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Differentiation, Alters the Tumor Microenvironment, and Drives Metastatic Progression. Cancer Research, 79(14), 3636-3650. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-2931

Goldstein A, Toro PV, Lee J, Silberstein JL, Nakazawa M, Waters I, Cravero K, Chu D, Cochran RL, Kim M, Shinn D, Torquato S, … Hurley PJ. (2017). Detection fidelity of AR mutations in plasma derived cell-free DNA. Oncotarget, 8(9), 15651–62. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.14926

Aguero J, Ishikawa K, Hadri L, Santos-Gallego C, Fish K, Hammoudi N, Chaanine A, Torquato S, … Hajjar RJ. (2014). Characterization of right ventricular remodeling and failure in a chronic pulmonary hypertension model. American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 307(8), H1204–15. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00246.2014

*indicates undergraduate co-author