Michael Fasullo
University at Albany

My research has focused on investigating how eukaryotic cells maintain genetic stability after exposure to radiation and chemical carcinogens. I earned a Ph.D. at Stanford University and was an American Cancer Society Fellow at Columbia University. I obtained an independent faculty position at Loyola University before moving to State University of New York at Albany. 

By constructing yeast strains to quantify frequencies of specific rearrangements, my group identified roles of the G2/M checkpoint in suppressing radiation-associated chromosomal translocations and the role of maintaining deoxynucleotide levels in suppressing replication-associated rearrangements. 

To evaluate the genotoxicity of metabolically active forms of aflatoxin and heterocyclic aromatic amines, my group introduced human cytochrome P450 genes into budding yeast strains. We profiled the yeast genome for resistance to aflatoxins and heterocyclic aromatic amines by next generation sequencing of molecular barcodes and bioinformatics, and identified genes that function in tolerating carcinogen-associated DNA damage. Efforts are now focused on profiling the mammalian genome for carcinogen resistance and expanding the use of non-animal models in genotoxic testing. These studies resulted in over 40 peer review publications, supported by National Institutes of Health. I am an avid member of the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society to foster scientific communication and collaboration. As a member of the Awards committee, I support efforts to acknowledge the contributions of senior members as well as young investigators as they start their careers.

Additional Information:  I joined EMGS in 1995 and was selected to attend a conference on personalized medicine in Romania in 2019.