Education

Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 2007

Current Position

Research Scientist, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University (2013-present)
Assistant Professor, Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University (2014)

Publications

1. Wendt MK, Schiemann BJ, Schiemann WP. Upregulation of oncogenic FGFR splice variants facilitates the inherent resistance of metastatic breast cancer to EGFR-targeted therapies. Under Review, Breast Cancer Research.
   
2. Balanis, N.*, Wendt, M. K.*, Schiemann, B. J., Wang, Z., Schiemann, W. P. and Carlin, C. R. (2013). Epithelial to mesenchymal transition promotes breast cancer progression via a fibronectin-dependent STAT3 signaling pathway. J Biol Chem 288(25): 17954-17967.
   Cited as a “breaking advance” in Cancer Research July 15th 2013
   
3. Wendt MK, Schiemann WP. The Multifunctional Roles of TGF-β in Navigating the Metastatic Cascade.TGF-β in Human Disease. ISBN 978-4431544081. Editors: Aristidis Moustakas and Keiji Miyazawa.
   
4. Wendt, M. K., Schiemann, B. J., Parvani, J. G., Lee, Y. H., Kang, Y. and Schiemann, W. P. (2013). TGF-beta stimulates Pyk2 expression as part of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition program required for metastatic outgrowth of breast cancer. Oncogene 32(16): 2005-2015.
   Cited as the “Top Story” by Mammary cell news June 21st 2012
   
5. Wendt, M. K., Tian, M. and Schiemann, W. P. (2012). Deconstructing the mechanisms and consequences of TGF-beta-induced EMT during cancer progression. Cell Tissue Res 347(1): 85-101.
   
6. Wendt MK, Schiemann WP. Regulation of TGF-β Signaling and Metastatic Progression by TumorMicroenvironments. Signaling Pathways and Molecular Mediators in Metastasis. 2011: p.115-141ISBN 978-94-007-2557-7. Editor: Alessandro Fatatis.
   
7. Wendt, M. K., Molter, J., Flask, C. A. and Schiemann, W. P. (2011). In vivo dual substrate bioluminescent imaging. J Vis Exp(56).
   
8. Balanis, N., Yoshigi, M., Wendt, M. K., Schiemann, W. P. and Carlin, C. R. (2011). beta3 integrin-EGF receptor cross-talk activates p190RhoGAP in mouse mammary gland epithelial cells. Mol Biol Cell 22(22): 4288-4301.
   
9. Wendt, M. K., Taylor, M. A., Schiemann, B. J. and Schiemann, W. P. (2011). Down-regulation of epithelial cadherin is required to initiate metastatic outgrowth of breast cancer. Mol Biol Cell 22(14): 2423-2435.
   Citied as “Must Read” by Faculty of 1000
   
10. Drury, L. J., Wendt, M. K. and Dwinell, M. B. (2010). CXCL12 chemokine expression and secretion regulates colorectal carcinoma cell anoikis through Bim-mediated intrinsic apoptosis. PLoS One 5(9): e12895.
    
11. Wendt, M. K., Smith, J. A. and Schiemann, W. P. (2010). Transforming growth factor-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition facilitates epidermal growth factor-dependent breast cancer progression. Oncogene 29(49): 6485-6498.
    Cited by Mammary Cell news, September 2nd 2010; Cited by CCCC newsletter
    
12. Wendt, M. K., Smith, J. A. and Schiemann, W. P. (2009). p130Cas is required for mammary tumor growth and transforming growth factor-beta-mediated metastasis through regulation of Smad2/3 activity. J Biol Chem 284(49): 34145-34156.
    Citied as “Recommended” by Faculty of 1000
    
13. Wendt, M. K., Allington, T. M. and Schiemann, W. P. (2009). Mechanisms of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition by TGF-beta. Future Oncol 5(8): 1145-1168.
    
14. Wendt, M. K. and Schiemann, W. P. (2009). Therapeutic targeting of the focal adhesion complex prevents oncogenic TGF-beta signaling and metastasis. Breast Cancer Res 11(5): R68.
    Rated as “Highly Accessed” by Breast Cancer Research
    
15. Wendt MK, Allington TM, Schiemann WP. Regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition by TGF-β innormal and malignant cells. Human Epithelial Tumor Cell Plasticity: Implications for CancerProgression and Metastasis. 2008: p.155-180 ISBN:978-81-308-0275-6 Editor: Paul J. Higgins, PhD.
    
16. Wendt, M. K., Drury, L. J., Vongsa, R. A. and Dwinell, M. B. (2008). Constitutive CXCL12 expression induces anoikis in colorectal carcinoma cells. Gastroenterology 135(2): 508-517.
    
17. Zimmerman, N. P., Vongsa, R. A., Wendt, M. K. and Dwinell, M. B. (2008). Chemokines and chemokine receptors in mucosal homeostasis at the intestinal epithelial barrier in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 14(7): 1000-1011.
    
18. Wendt, M. K., Cooper, A. N. and Dwinell, M. B. (2008). Epigenetic silencing of CXCL12 increases the metastatic potential of mammary carcinoma cells. Oncogene 27(10): 1461-1471.
    
19. Moyer, R. A., Wendt, M. K., Johanesen, P. A., Turner, J. R. and Dwinell, M. B. (2007). Rho activation regulates CXCL12 chemokine stimulated actin rearrangement and restitution in model intestinal epithelia. Lab Invest 87(8): 807-817.
    
20. Wendt, M. K., Johanesen, P. A., Kang-Decker, N., Binion, D. G., Shah, V. and Dwinell, M. B. (2006). Silencing of epithelial CXCL12 expression by DNA hypermethylation promotes colonic carcinoma metastasis. Oncogene 25(36): 4986-4997.
    
21. Smith, J. M., Johanesen, P. A., Wendt, M. K., Binion, D. G. and Dwinell, M. B. (2005). CXCL12 activation of CXCR4 regulates mucosal host defense through stimulation of epithelial cell migration and promotion of intestinal barrier integrity. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 288(2): G316-326.
    
    *indicates coauthorship