José  Costa, M.D.

Training:

1974-1975 Senoir Staff Fellow, Laboratory of Pathology, NCI, Bethesda, MD
1973-1974 Visiting Fellow, Laboratory of Pathology, Fogarty International Foundation, NCI, Bethesda, MD
1972-1973 Resident, Division of Surgical Pathology, Dept of Pathology, Washington Univ School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
1971-1972 Resident, Anatomic Pathology, Dept of Pathology, Washington Univ School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
1969-1971 Resident, Anatomic Pathology, Dept of Pathology, Univ of Colorado Medical Center, Denver, CO
1961-1967 - M.D., Magna Cum Laude, University of Barcelona Medical School, Spain
1958-1961 - B.A. (Sciences) Lycee Francais College International, Barcelona, Spain
1947-1958 - Schweizer Schule, Barcelona, Spain

Expertise:

Oncology: carcinogenesis, tumor development and progression

Research Interests:

We study the process of tumor formation in mammalian tissues and the natural history of the tumor cells. Current understanding indicates that most tumors are the progeny of a single cell, and that the transition from a normal tissue cell population to a malignant tumor is a multi-step process. Molecular genetic studies, combined with morphology, have defined stages for some of the common tumors of humans and experimental animals. We are currently focusing on the study of the earliest changes preceding tumor formation. Our approach consists of studying tissues known to be at high risk for the development of tumors, using both experimental animals and excised tissues from patients. We combine morphology, immunohistochemistry, and PCR-based technology to characterize the genetic changes found in distinct cell populations. By understanding the earliest disturbances preceding the emergence of tumors, we should be able to detect and interfere with the process of tumor formation.

Oncology, Advanced Diagnostics, Molecular Diagnostics
Research Interests: Diagnosed Genetic Alterations in Tumors;
Cancer Risk Detection by Mutational Load Distribution Analysis.

Professional Service:

2004-present - Advisory Board, "Nature Clinical Practice Oncology"
2003-2007 - Member, Publications Committee, International Academy of Pathology
2001-2004 - Member, National Cancer Institute IRG Parent Committee (Subcommittee D)
2003-2005 - Member, Committee on Cooperative Research, Yale University
2002-2004 - Member, Yale University "Conflict of Interest" Committee
2000-present - Member, Scientific Advisory Board, CNIO, Madrid, Spain
2000-2004 - Co-Editor in Chief, "Laboratory Investigation"
2000 - Panelist, Breast Cancer Consensus Conference, National Institutes of Health
1999-2003 - Member, Steering Committee, Early Detection Research Network (EDRN), NCI
1995-2007 - Deputy Director, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, New Haven, CT
1995-2000 - Associate Editor, "Laboratory Investigation"
1991-1993 - Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board, ISREC, Lausanne, Switzerland
1990-1993 - Chair, Lausanne Study Section for the Fond National de la Recherche Scientifique
1986-1993 - Member, Scientific Advisory Board, ISREC, Lausanne, Switzerland
1987-1993 - Member, Editorial Board, "Virchows Archiv A"

Selected Publications: