Dr. Lucia Nappi is a distinguished clinician scientist and medical oncologist with expertise in genitourinary malignancies. She completed her medical degree, residency, and PhD in Italy, followed by post-doctoral and clinical research fellowships in Vancouver. Dr. Nappi currently holds the position of Senior Research Scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Nappi’s research is at the forefront of understanding the molecular mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies and chemotherapy in genitourinary tumors, with a particular focus on biomarker discovery for treatment response and resistance. Her work includes the development of a novel anti-HSP27 small molecule aimed at controlling prostate cancer proliferation, with promising findings now progressing into clinical trials.
She also leads translational research on plasma-based biomarkers for germ cell tumors and is at the helm of clinical trials evaluating the use of miR371 in managing these cancers. Dr. Nappi collaborates widely on national and international research initiatives, driving innovation to improve treatment outcomes. Her contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the SWOG Young Investigator Award, the Michael Smith Foundation Research Trainee Award, and the Tad Smith & Caroline Fitzgibbons-PCF Young Investigator Award.
Recent Publications