Faculty Showcase Breast Cancer Metastasis in the Presence of Diabetes Why is diabetes a risk factor for death from breast cancer? Carrie J. Merkle, PhD, RN, FAAN	Dr. Carrie Merkle
cmerkle@nursing.arizona.edu

	Recently, two large prospective epidemiological studies found that diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for death from breast cancer. One aim of my research is to find out why. My hypothesis is that it is due to increased breast cancer metastasis secondary to vascular injury.
	I am actively attempting to broaden my research program on endothelial injury and breast cancer metastasis to include metastasis in the presence of diabetes mellitus. Preliminary studies using model systems are consistent with a vascular reason for increased metastasis in the presence of type 1 diabetes. Currently, I have a number of pending grants that focus on breast cancer and both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus using a variety of biological and biochemical methods.
	Students at all levels and post doctoral fellows are welcome to join my laboratory. Currently, our College has an NIH T32 Training grant to support PhD students and post doctoral fellows interested in these types of studies. Email me at: cmerkle@nursing.arizona.edu