Background

Dr. Thielman completed her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Edinboro University and her doctorate at Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine in the Cellular and Molecular Medicine program.  She also completed post-doctoral training at Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine.  During her doctorate and post-doctoral research, Dr. Thielman examined the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma specifically focusing on secreted axon guidance molecules and their role in neuronal and immune cell function relating to tumor progression.  In addition, Dr. Thielman studied bispecific T cell engager molecules in combination with different immunotherapies to enhance immune cell activation against cancerous cells.  Her work examines the immune cell function and signaling in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment.  She has also collaborated on research involving the role of selenocysteines in regulating inflammatory reactions in colorectal tumorigenesis and the role of catecholamines in tumor progression and metastasis.

Research Interests

Dr. Thielman’s current research involves examining the tumor microenvironment and microbiome in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.  Student research is focused on understanding signaling between cell types involved in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.  Dr. Thielman also collaborates on projects involving the role of essential oils in the treatment of human papilloma virus containing keratinocytes.

Recent Publications

  • Jurcak, NR., Rucki, AA., Muth, S., Thompson, E., Sharma, R., Ding, D., Eshleman, JR., Anders, RA., Jaffee, EM., Fujiwara, K., Zheng, L. (2019). Axon Guidance Molecules Promote Perineural Invasion and Metastasis of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors in Mice. Gastroenterology. 157. 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.05.065.
  • Jurcak, NR., Zheng, L. Signaling in the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer: Transmitting along the nerve. Ther. 2019 Aug;200:126-134. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.04.010.
  • Blair, AB*., Jurcak, NR*., Javed, A., Teinor, J., Groot, V., Rozich, N., Cameron, J., Weiss, M., He, J., Wolfgang, C., Zheng, L., and Burkhart, R. “Nonselective β-adrenergic blockade impacts pancreatic cancer tumor biology, decreases perineural invasion and improves patient survival.” Annals of Pancreatic Cancer, 3 (2020). *indicates first co-authors.
  • Canter JA, Ernst SE, Peters KM, Carlson BA, Thielman NRJ, Grysczyk L, Udofe P, Yu Y, Cao L, Davis CD, Gladyshev VN, Hatfield DL, Tsuji PA. Selenium and the 15kDa Selenoprotein Impact Colorectal Tumorigenesis by Modulating Intestinal Barrier Integrity. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Sep 30;22(19):10651. doi: 10.3390/ijms221910651. PMID: 34638991; PMCID: PMC8508755.

 

PubMed-indexed Publications

Google Scholar-indexed Publications