Maria Bhatt

Maria Bhatt has investigated CDK2 and cyclin E dysregulation as oncogenic drivers in multiple cancer types, particularly the role of CCNE1 amplification in ovarian and endometrial cancers with poor prognosis. Her research demonstrated that cyclin E overexpression drives premature CDK2 activation, accelerated S-phase entry, and replication stress that promotes genomic instability and tumor evolution. She has characterized how cyclin E-high tumors exhibit distinct vulnerabilities to replication checkpoint inhibitors including ATR and WEE1 inhibitors, providing a therapeutic rationale for targeted approaches. Her work identified CCNE1 amplification as a biomarker associated with CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance in breast cancer and sensitivity to CDK2-targeted strategies.