Tumor heterogeneity is a key factor for therapeutic failures and lethal outcomes in liver cancer. Dr. Ma's lab investigates liver tumor heterogeneity by leveraging cutting-edge single-cell and spatial omics approaches, combined with developing novel computational methods. By analyzing both the spatial context and molecular profiles of millions of individual cells, the lab aims to uncover the spatial dynamics of tumor cells, their interactions with the surrounding environments, and key signaling pathways driving tumor heterogeneity. These insights may pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes in liver cancer. 

Dr. Ma received her postdoctoral training at the National Cancer Institute, where she studied liver cancer biology using single-cell approaches. She started her independent research program at the NCI as a Stadtman Investigator in 2022. Her current research focuses on tumor heterogeneity and tumor evolution in liver cancer.