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David N. Boone
- Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics
- Director — Hillman Cancer Center Education & Training Programs
- Vice Chair — HCC Committee for Excellence in Cancer Education and Training
Department of Biomedical Informatics (DBMI) | University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Biography
Dr. David N. Boone is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where his work centers on the design, implementation, and evaluation of education and training programs that broaden participation in biomedical and computational research. He directs the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy — a nationally recognized pipeline of programs serving high school through postdoctoral trainees — and leads multiple federally and philanthropically funded workforce development initiatives. His research also spans translational cancer biology, including insulin-like growth factor signaling, long noncoding RNAs, breast cancer genomics, and tumor microenvironment mechanisms.
Research Interests
Dr. Boone’s scholarship centers on biomedical education and workforce development, with a particular focus on designing and evaluating training programs that prepare students from all communities for careers in biomedical and computational research. He leads federally and philanthropically funded programs spanning high school through postdoctoral levels, including the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy and the NSF INCLUDES STEM PUSH Network. His translational research program investigates the molecular mechanisms driving breast cancer progression, including the roles of IGF signaling, long noncoding RNAs, and tumor microenvironment interactions in tumor growth, metastasis, and immune evasion.
Specialties
- Biomedical Education & Workforce Development
- Broadening Participation in Biomedical and Computational Research
- Research Training Program Design & Evaluation
- Breast Cancer Biology & Genomics
- Translational Cancer Research
Websites & Links
Education & Training
- B.S., Biology/GeneticsPennsylvania State University, State College, PA1999–2003
- Ph.D., Cell BiologyVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN2005–2011
- Postdoctoral Scholar, Breast CancerUniversity of Pittsburgh / Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA2011–2015
Certifications
- Associate Level Certification in Teaching the STEM DisciplinesCenter for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning2015
- Peer CoachPitt Scientist Peer Training Program2024
Awards & Distinctions
- Carnegie Science Center Educator AwardCarnegie Science Center (2022); University of Pittsburgh2021
- Editorial BoardJournal of Science Outreach2021–present
- Susan G. Komen Postdoctoral FellowshipSusan G. Komen Foundation2012–2015
- Hillman Academy named one of the Top 100 Education InnovationsHundrED.org2019
Representative Publications
Fung E, Boone DN, et al. Collaborative STEM Research Training Model to Engage Underrepresented High School Students. Journal of STEM Outreach. 2024.
Ayoob JC, Boyce RD, …Boone DN. Getting to YES: The Evolution of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Youth Enjoy Science (YES) Academy. Journal of Cancer Education. 2023.
Iriti J, Delale O’Connor L, Long C, Fan Li C, Boone DN, et al. Development of Out-of-School Time STEM Program Quality Standards for Broadening Participation. Journal of STEM Outreach 8 (2025).
Heim, Hankins, Belayneh, …Boone DN, et al. RNA-Sequencing predicts a role of androgen receptor and ALDH1A1 in Osteosarcoma Lung Metastases. Oncogene. 43(14), 1007–1018. 2024.
Boone DN, Warburton A, Som S, Lee AV. SNHG7 is a lncRNA oncogene controlled by IGF signaling through a negative feedback loop to tightly regulate proliferation. Scientific Reports 10(1), 1–12. 2020.
Research Grants
| Grant / Funding Agency | Role | Grant Number | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy UPMC Hillman Cancer Center | PI | 2019–2026 | |
| Clinical Research Continuum: High School to Postdoctoral NIH/NCI | PI | N/A | 2016–2026 |
| NSF INCLUDES Alliance: The STEM PUSH Network NSF | Co-PI | 2019–2025 | |
| Cancer Center Support Grant – CRCE Component NIH/NCI | Co-I | 2020–2025 | |
| Building Accessible and Inclusive Pathways NIH | Co-I | 2022–2026 | |
| EvolvingSTEM: Authentic Classroom Research NSF | Co-I | 2023–2028 |