Meet the Research Director

Dan Gustafson, Ph.D. began his tenure as the Director of Research at the Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center in 2008.  He provides strategic vision for the development and coordination of the cancer researchers and research programs at CSU. Dr. Gustafson is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.  Prior to coming to CSU he was an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences.  

In addition to being the ACC Director of Research, Dr. Gustafson also directs the Cancer Pharmacology Laboratory within the CSU Animal Cancer Center and is the Director of the Pharmacology Core for the University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, also located at the ACC. His laboratory focuses on developing therapeutic treatment modalities for cancer with an emphasis on the pharmacology of agents used in combination cancer treatment.  This includes characterizing optimum drug combinations and treatment schedules for newer molecularly targeted drugs with cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or ionizing radiation.  The development and utilization of model systems that better reflect the clinical progression and pathology of cancer are also a focus.  Model systems utilized include animal cell tissue culture, rodent models and collaborations with medical, radiation and surgical oncologists that utilize human and veterinary cancer patient populations.  Methods used in his laboratory include molecular biology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry as well as computer modeling approaches.  A strong emphasis is placed on quantitative assessment and mathematical or statistical approaches to data analysis with prediction and simulation of drug levels and effects in patient populations as a final goal.

Dr. Gustafson earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Santa Clara University and his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology from the University of Nevada, Reno.  He completed his postdoctoral training in Radiation Biology and Pharmacology at Colorado State University.  Dr. Gustafson has authored over 65 original scientific articles in journals and over 80 abstracts presented at national and international conferences in the field of cancer research.

Get to know Dr. Gustafson better.