Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Dr. Lisa Porter is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Windsor, the first woman in science at the institution to receive this distinction, and an internationally recognized cell biologist and cancer researcher. Her research focuses on understanding how cells grow, divide, and respond to their environment to improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer.

Before building a career in Windsor and London, Dr. Lisa Porter completed her Honours B.Sc. in Biology and Pharmacology and her Ph.D. in Medical Sciences at McMaster University, then undertook postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego. Over the years, she has led multidisciplinary research teams primarily dedicated to advancing discoveries in cell cycle biology and cancer research.

Dr. Lisa Porter’s primary research expertise is in cell cycle regulation, the biological processes that control how cells grow and divide. Her laboratory studies how disruptions to these processes contribute to cancer development and progression.

The Porter Lab has particular expertise in:

• Cell cycle checkpoints
• Cell growth and proliferation
• Cancer stem cells
• Neural stem cell biology
• Tumour suppressor biology
• Breast cancer
• Brain cancer (glioblastoma)
• Prostate cancer
• Liver cancer
• Translational cancer research
• Precision oncology
• Cancer biomarker discovery

The lab also develops innovative laboratory tools to better understand how cancer develops and responds to different treatments.

The Porter Lab investigates how normal cells regulate growth and division and how these processes become disrupted in diseases such as cancer.

Our research examines how cells respond to environmental signals, stress, nutrients, and DNA damage through specialized cell cycle checkpoints. Understanding these mechanisms provides valuable insight into how cancer begins, evolves, and becomes resistant to treatment.

Our long-term goal is to translate discoveries in basic cell biology into better diagnostic tools and new therapeutic strategies that improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Lisa Porter currently leads research programs focused on several major cancers, including:

• Breast cancer
• Glioblastoma and other brain cancers
• Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
• Prostate cancer, including neuroendocrine prostate cancer

The laboratory also collaborates on clinical and translational research projects involving additional cancer types through partnerships with clinicians, hospitals, and research institutes.

Healthy cells carefully regulate when they divide, repair DNA, or stop growing. Cancer develops when these control systems fail.

By studying cell cycle regulation, researchers can better understand why cancer cells continue to grow uncontrollably, resist treatment, or recur after therapy. Discoveries in cell cycle biology can identify new drug targets and improve treatment strategies across many different forms of cancer.

The Porter Lab combines fundamental cell biology with translational cancer research.

Our team integrates expertise across:

• Molecular and cellular biology
• Cancer stem cell biology
• Advanced microscopy
• Flow cytometry
• CRISPR-based technologies
• Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models
• Zebrafish disease models
• Organoid culture systems
• Bioinformatics

This multidisciplinary approach allows discoveries made in the laboratory to move more efficiently toward clinical applications.

Spy1 (also known as SPDYA or Speedy) is an atypical cell cycle regulatory protein that has been a major focus of Dr. Lisa Porter’s research for more than two decades.

Unlike most cell cycle regulators, Spy1 directly activates the cyclin-dependent kinases CDK1 and CDK2 without requiring the regulatory modifications that normally control their activity. As a result, cells can continue progressing through the cell cycle and dividing even in the presence of DNA damage, cellular stress, or other growth-inhibitory signals that would typically activate cell cycle checkpoints and halt cell division.

The Porter Lab investigates how abnormal Spy1 activity contributes to the development and progression of breast, brain, liver, and prostate cancers, as well as its role in regulating cancer stem cells. This research is helping to determine whether Spy1 could serve as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for future cancer treatments.

Tuberin is a tumour suppressor protein that helps cells respond appropriately to nutrient availability, stress, and growth signals.

Research at the Porter Lab has advanced our understanding of Tuberin’s role in regulating the G2/M transition of the cell cycle and how disruptions to this pathway contribute to disease.

The laboratory has also developed specialized fluorescent tools to study Tuberin function in living cells.

Yes.

Collaboration is key to the Porter Lab’s research philosophy.

The laboratory works closely with physicians, surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, engineers, chemists, bioinformaticians, and researchers from numerous disciplines to accelerate discoveries that can improve patient care.

These collaborations strengthen the translation of laboratory discoveries into clinical research and precision medicine initiatives.

Throughout her career, Dr. Lisa Porter has held numerous research leadership positions in Windsor, London, and beyond.

These include serving as:

• Distinguished Professor at the University of Windsor
• Founding Executive Director of WE-SPARK Health Institute
• Scientific Director of the Windsor Cancer Research Group
• Vice-President, Research & Scientific Director at St. Joseph’s Health Care London
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) University Delegate
• Member of the CIHR College of Reviewers

She has also contributed to numerous provincial, national, and international research committees, strategic planning initiatives, and collaborative health research organizations.

WE-SPARK Health Institute is a collaborative health research institute established to bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, educators, and community partners throughout Windsor-Essex.

As the founding Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Porter helped establish the institute’s governance, strategic vision, and collaborative research culture while supporting innovative health research across multiple disciplines.

Absolutely.

The laboratory provides research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, and research staff, while fostering a collaborative environment grounded in curiosity, scientific excellence, professional development, and peer mentorship.

Many of Dr. Lisa Porter’s former trainees have gone on to successful careers in academia, healthcare, biotechnology, and medicine.

The Porter Lab is committed to maintaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive research environment.

We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences strengthen scientific innovation. Lab members are encouraged to listen respectfully, recognize individual contributions, support one another, and continually learn how to build a more inclusive research culture.

Creating meaningful advances against complex diseases requires collaboration, openness, and a commitment to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.

Prospective undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate researchers interested in cell biology, cancer research, and translational biomedical science are encouraged to learn more about our research programs and current opportunities.

Students joining the Porter Lab become part of a collaborative research environment focused on scientific discovery, mentorship, innovation, and improving outcomes for patients affected by cancer.

If you want to get involved, send us an email at porterlab@uwindsor.ca or call us at (519) 253-3000, ext. 4775.

Explore our research programs, publications, facilities, and the latest news on the Porter Lab website to learn more about our ongoing discoveries, collaborations, and opportunities to get involved in our research community.