Alicia Hulbert, MD

Dr. Alicia Hulbert is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Her research is focused in the field of cancer epigenetics and DNA methylation in lung cancer. Prior to joining the University of Illinois at Chicago, Dr. Hulbert served at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Hulbert’s Cancer Epigenetic Lung Liquid Biopsy laboratory (CELLI) is developing and clinically applying molecular biomarkers specifically DNA methylation to facilitate early cancer detection, improve the accuracy of prognosis, and tailor treatment approaches to each individual. She has successfully developed, corrected, validated and patented an ultrasensitive method for early detection of lung cancer based on the findings of DNA methylation changes in genes obtained from bodily fluids (blood, sputum) using methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in situ methylation specific primer (MSP), and nanotechnology-based detection methods methylation on beads (MOB). This has led to molecular detection of cancer epigenetic changes as a method for early detection of lung cancer. Her current research centers on utilizing these findings to improve the management of patients through the development of diagnosis, prognostic and predictive epigenetic biomarkers in populations suffering from health disparities. Her collaboration with Dr. Ian Papautsky, PhD, Richard & Loan Hill Professor, co-director, NSF Center for Advanced Design & Manufacturing of Integrated Microfluidics, received the MPI/R01 Development Award in Translational Oncology.