l-r: Will Meehan, Researcher III, Katy Marotto, Researcher III, Victoria Ordonez, Undergraduate in Cancer Biology, Eason Hildreth, D.V.M., Ph.D. Eason Hildreth, D.V.M., Ph.D.,  an assistant professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology (MCP), is an active researcher in the UAB Department of Pathology. Dr. Hildreth joined UAB in July 2019 from the Medical College of South Carolina and has since shown his dedication to the field and the Department. In 2021, he received a two-year Early Career Investigator grant from METAvivor Research and Support for his research on breast cancer and was also named a UAB Heersink Pittman Scholar. In an effort to showcase the impactful contributions of UAB Pathology researchers, Hildreth answers some questions about his areas of research and what led him to UAB.

What is your research focus?

We are interested in genetic programs in the tumor microenvironment that drive cancer progression. To date, this has largely hinged on genetically (using genetically-modified mice) and therapeutically (using microparticle drug delivery) targeting tumor-associated macrophages independent of where the tumor is located and targeting osteoclasts in bone metastasis in breast cancer. More recently, this has expanded to an interest in cancer-associated fibroblasts and renal cancer (another bone metastatic malignancy).

How long have you worked in this area and what initially sparked your interest in it?

My Ph.D. was in skeletal development and bone formation. One day, my Ph.D. advisor had the opportunity to collaborate with another scientist at Ohio State named Dr. Mike Ostrowski, a pioneer in tumor microenvironment and macrophage/osteoclast research. He was interested in microCT analysis of bones from some of his genetically-engineered mice. I have a lot of imaging training from the small animal surgical residency I completed after my D.V.M. From this, I developed an interest in mouse imaging, mainly microCT, which led to many collaborations at that time and still to this day. My advisor asked if I was interested – but there was one catch – I could only work on this collaboration after hours, not to interfere with my Ph.D. work. I was interested! Therefore, at the end of the day, I would stop my Ph.D. lab work and jump onto the microCT workstation. When I finished my Ph.D., Dr. Ostrowski asked me to join his lab as a post-doctoral fellow, where I then became integrated into these macrophage/osteoclast projects independent from imaging. A lot of the research and findings we had during that time led me to wonder how they related to macrophages and osteoclasts in breast cancer and their metastasis.

What is a major accomplishment within your lab you would like to highlight?

First of all, I have a great team! We have been successful so far receiving several awards such as the METAvivor Early Career Investigator Award, the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Rising Star Award, and the UAB School of Medicine Pittman Scholar Award. Outside of the laboratory, the course I co-lead with Dr. Yabing Chen, GBS752 “Intro to Pathobiology”, for the GBS Ph.D. students, is something I am really proud of. I serve on a few committees here at UAB, but the opportunity to be involved with the Pathology Residency Candidate interviews/selection and the new Physician Scientist Development Oversight and Mentoring Committee within the Department is something I really enjoy. I think this new committee and program have the ability to make a real impact on the resident experience and be yet another unique element of our Department. I am really grateful Dr. Brandi McCleskey asked me to be involved soon after I got here – something that came out of the Pathology Research Retreat! Within the last year, I was asked to serve on study section for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and recently as a reviewer for the Department of Veteran Affairs, both major moments. In addition, we have some stellar collaborators and are a part of multiple exciting collaborations, which are extremely valuable to me.

What were the key factors in your decision to join the Department of Pathology at UAB?

UAB was put on the map for me about 15 years ago by Dr. Thomas Clemens, a former Division Director of MCP. I was a big fan of his research. I have since been very familiar with the work in MCP on bone, cancer, and bone-cancer interactions. Before I visited here for the first time, working and talking with Dr. Rajeev Samant, who was chair of the faculty search committee, and Traci Oden, the previous administration supervisor, was top rate. But there was a moment that changed everything. During a hurricane evacuation from where we were in Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Rajeev Samant called me. I had only been emailing him and had not yet visited. He wanted to see if we were safe from the storm. That was a massive moment and spoke volumes to me. I will never forget that gesture. This thoughtfulness and generosity have been seen many times since from others while here in MCP. A few weeks later I interviewed here. I knew on the first day that this is where I wanted to be. During my visits, I felt that every person I met could positively impact my career. Apart from the science, there was an overwhelming sense of “family” within the Division. The opportunity to have Drs. Ralph Sanderson and George Netto as my supervisors were another major selling point based on their influence, vision, and our scientific discussions. I have been really fortunate to have Dr. Selvarangan Ponnazhagan as my faculty mentor and Drs. Rajeev Samant, Rosa Serra (Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology), Soory Varambally, and Ralph Sanderson to complete my mentoring committee. But, there have been too many people to name that have helped me along the way so far – pathology leadership and administration, clinical and research faculty, and others here in the Department. I think everyone knows how I feel about the Department and UAB.

When you’re not at work, what are some things you enjoy doing?

My wife Emily and I love being out on walks with Raleigh, our American Cocker Spaniel. I am a massive Liverpool soccer fan. I really enjoy British/European crime dramas – Wallander is my favorite. My COVID lockdown acquired hobby is smoking meat – I make great pork BBQ. I really enjoy music – all types and from all eras – my presets range from Sinatra to reggae to alternative to pop to classical to jazz to country.

What is your favorite Birmingham restaurant?

Lunch – Hattie B’s just east of campus. Hot chicken and great sides.

Dinner – 1) Galley and Garden. I ate there during my interview and since with a faculty candidate. A lot of great memories there; and 2) Three restaurants close to my home in the Greystone area down 280 - Bay Leaf, The Anvil, and Vocelli’s Pizza. All different, all great.