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Rajani Rai, Ph.D
Obstetrics and Gynecology

Rajani Rai, Ph.D

Assistant Professor 

405-271-8001 x54330

rajani-rai@ou.edu

Dr. Rajani Rai is a distinguished cancer biologist and Assistant Professor at the Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, whose research bridges fundamental molecular discovery with transformative clinical applications. Since joining OUHSC in 2016, she has advanced through the academic ranks, supported by a strong record of peer-reviewed publications, competitive NIH/NCI funding—including R21 grants and SPORE Career Enhancement Awards, and contributions to multiple provisional patents. She plays a central role in OUHSC’s women’s cancer research program, collaborating with Drs. Doris Benbrook, Vishal Chandra, and Bethany Hannafon to translate laboratory discoveries into innovative therapeutic strategies.

Beyond her scientific contributions, Dr. Rai is a dedicated mentor who trains graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff in advanced cancer research methodologies, fostering the next generation of leaders in translational oncology. Her work reflects a steadfast commitment to advancing cancer therapeutics and prevention strategies, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for women affected by gynecologic malignancies.

Academic Section(s):

Gynecologic Oncology

Education:

Ph.D. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

M.Sc. Applied Biochemistry, V.B.S. Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, India

B.Sc. V.B.S. Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, India

Clinical/Research Interests:

Our research interests are primarily focused on: 

  • Developing innovative, effective, and less toxic therapy for patients with gynecological cancers, including ovarian, cervical, and endometrial malignancies.
  • Exploring the molecular mechanism driving tumor progression and therapeutic resistance
  • Designing novel therapeutic strategies to overcome therapy resistance.

Funding:

  • NIH/NCI R21 (July 2025 - June 2027)

Title: Combining c-Myc inhibitor and SHetA2 for cervical cancer: A promising low-to-no toxicity therapeutic strategy. Role: Principal Investigator

  • V Foundation (Nov 2025 - Oct 2028)

Title: Targeting Obesity and Progesterone Resistance to Prevent Endometrial Cancer. Role: Co-Investigator

  • Presbyterian Health Foundation Clinical Translational Grant Award (July 2025 - June 2026

Title: Translating Mebendazole for Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancer. Role: Principal Investigator

  • Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF) Bridge Program (July 2025 - June 2026)

Title: Metabolic Targeting to Overcome Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer. Role: Principal Investigator

  • Route 66 Endometrial Cancer SPORE: Career Enhancement Program (Aug 2025 - July 2026)

Title: Targeting Obesity-Driven Endometrial Cancer. Role: Principal Investigator

  • Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF) Seed Grant (July 2024 – June 2026)

Title: Deciphering the efficacy and mechanism of Mebendazole against chemoresistant Ovarian cancer. Role: Principal Investigator

  • The Mary Kay Ash Foundation (June 2023 – May 2026)

Title: Obesity Management Augmenting Endometrial Cancer Prevention. Role: Co-Principal Investigator

Select Publications:

  1. E Valencia-Rincón, R Rai, V Chandra, EA Wellberg. GLP-1 receptor agonists and cancer: current clinical evidence and translational opportunities for preclinical research. J Clin Invest. 2025 Nov 3;135(21):e194743. doi: 10.1172/JCI194743.
  2. Dogra S, Adhikari L, Benbrook DM, Bohn JA, Burgett A, Chandra V, Dockery L, Singh A, McNally L, Rai R, Isingizwe ZR, Richardson DL, Yang Z, Hannafon BN. Harnessing ovarian cancer ascites for translational science: models, biomarkers, and therapeutics. Mol Cancer. 2025 Oct 14;24(1):257. doi: 10.1186/s12943-025-02438-z.
  3. Rai R, Zhang Q, Mutembie BN, Yan F, Pandit K, Zhang K, Wang C, Liu R, Liu J, Mercyshalinie ERS Cui Yan, Peek HA, Dai LJ, Ling Y, Dockery LE, Tang Q. Evaluating the Efficacy of Mebendazole Repurposing for Ovarian Cancer Therapy Using Optical Coherence Tomography. J Biophotonics. 2025 Sep 9:e202500369. doi: 10.1002/jbio.202500369.
  4. Chandra V, Garland J, Rai R, Zhou D, Walgama C, Krishnan G, Long AT, Liu T, Adhikari L, Benbrook DM. Mortalin and PINK1/Parkin‐Mediated Mitophagy Represent Ovarian Cancer‐Selective Targets for Drug Development. Adv. Sci, 2025, e05592. doi.org/10.1002/advs.202505592
  5. Garland J, Hussain S, Rai R, Kennedy AL, Isingizwe ZR, Benbrook DM. Targeting HSP70-E7 Interaction with SHetA2: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Cervical Cancer. J Med Virol. 2024 Nov;96(11):e70088.  
  6. Sharma A, Liu X, Chandra V, Rai R, Benbrook DM, Woo S. Pharmacodynamics of Cyclin D1 Degradation in Ovarian Cancer Xenografts with Repeated Oral SHetA2 Dosing. AAPS J. 2023 Dec 12;26(1):5.
  7. Rai R, Lightfoot S, Benbrook DM. Manipulation of metabolic responses enhances SHetA2 efficacy without toxicity in cervical cancer cell lines and xenografts. Gynecologic Oncology 2023 Dec 4;180:44-54.
  8. DK Dey, Krause D, Rai R, Choudhary S, Borden L, Chandra V. The role and participation of immune cells in the endometrial tumor microenvironment. Pharmacology & Therapeutics (Pharmacol Ther. 2023 Sep 9;251:108526.
  9. Rai R, Conrad R, Benbrook DM. Dataset on mucin 1 and 4 proteins and SialyT and T antigens staining patterns in cervical cancer primary tumors and metastatic lymph nodes. Data Brief. 2023 Jun;48:109243.
  10. Rai R, Dey DK, Benbrook DM, Chandra V. Niclosamide causes lysosome-dependent cell death in endometrial cancer cells and tumors. Biomed Pharmacother. 2023 May;161:114422.
  11. Benbrook DM, Deng W, Gold MA, Rai R, Conrad R, van der Wel H, Husain S, Moore K, Spirtos N, Jackson AL, Zakhour M, Mathews CA, West CM. Association of Sialyl Tn antigen with cervical cancer lymph node status: An NRG oncology/GOG study. Gynecol Oncol. 2023 Apr;171:67-75.
  12. Rai R., Chandra V., Kennedy A.L., Zuna R. E., Benbrook D. M. Distinct Mechanism of Cervical Cancer Cell Death Caused by the Investigational New Drug SHetA2. Frontiers in Oncology, section Gynecological Oncology. Front Oncol. 2022 Sep 20;12:958536.
  13. Rai R, Kennedy AL, Isingizwe ZR, Javadian P, Benbrook DM. Similarities and Differences of Hsp70, hsc70, Grp78 and Mortalin as Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets. Cells. 2021 Nov 3;10(11).
  14. Panneerselvam J, Madka V, Rai R, Morris KT, Houchen CW, Chandrakesan P, Rao CV. Inflammatory Mediators and Gut Microbial Toxins Drive Colon Tumorigenesis by IL-23 Dependent Mechanism. Cancers (Basel). 2021 Oct 14;13(20).
  15. Fatima I, Barman S, Rai R, Thiel KWW, Chandra V. Targeting Wnt Signaling in Endometrial Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2021 May 13;13(10).
  16. Chandra V, Rai R, Benbrook DM. Utility and Mechanism of SHetA2 and Paclitaxel for Treatment of Endometrial Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2021 May 12;13(10).
  17. Rai R, Essel KG, Benbrook DM, Garland J, Zhao YD, Chandra V. Preclinical Efficacy and Involvement of AKT, mTOR and ERK kinases in the Mechanism of Sulforaphane Against Endometrial Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2020 May 18;12(5):1273.

NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1h7pcST1ltmoPz/bibliography/public/

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=3TNIDroAAAAJ&hl=en