The UAB Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology (CDIB) has launched a new article series titled Meet the Minds of CDIB. The series spotlights the diverse faculty who power the department’s groundbreaking research. Through candid interviews, it gives readers a closer look at the career paths, passions, and real-world impacts of UAB researchers shaping the future of medicine.
One of those researchers is Susan Bellis, Ph.D., professor in CDIB, Alma B. Maxwell—UAHSF Endowed Chair in Biomedical Research, and a leader in the field of cancer glycobiology. Her lab studies how glycan structures on cancer cells influence their behavior and drive cancer progression, with a particular focus on pancreatic cancer.
Bellis and her team investigate a special type of sialic acid, a negatively charged sugar found abundantly on cancer cells but not on normal epithelial cells. They study why cancer cells produce so much of this sugar and how it promotes invasion and metastasis.
“Historically, cancer research has focused on genes and proteins, not sugars. By studying glycans, we may identify potent, previously unknown biomarkers and therapeutic targets, opening entirely new avenues for cancer treatment. This is a critical and underexplored area of cancer biology,” she said.
Her journey to scientific research was unconventional. Bellis earned her first bachelor’s degree in music, working as a music therapist in special education for several years. While living with two roommates who were marine biologists, she discovered a passion for science that inspired her to change fields. She went back to school for a degree in biology, then earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Rhode Island. After a postdoctoral fellowship at SUNY Syracuse, New York, she came to UAB as a spousal recruit.
Over the course of her career, Bellis progressed to become a respected leader in her field. In 2023, she served as President of the Society for Glycobiology, which she considers one of her most significant professional achievements. She has also chaired many NIH study sections and won awards for her editorial service, such as the Springer Nature Editor of Distinction award.
For Bellis, UAB’s culture of teamwork has been central to her success. “One of the main reasons I’ve stayed at UAB is the collaborative culture. Faculty here are incredibly generous with their ideas, time, and resources. That spirit of collaboration is my favorite thing about working here,” she said. Bellis has been a member of the UAB faculty for 27 years.
Apart from research, Bellis is passionate about mentorship. “Mentoring and supporting my students, postdocs, and junior faculty has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career,” she said.
For early-career scientists, she offers two pieces of advice:
“First, you must truly love the science… This career demands perseverance because there will be many disappointments: failed experiments, rejected grants, and manuscripts. That love for science helps you push through challenges.”
“Second, seek out mentors and collaborators. Having a supportive network can buffer the difficulties and provide diverse perspectives, which is especially important early in your career.”
Follow along with the Meet the Minds of CDIB series to discover more about the faculty advancing science at UAB.