Ritchie School Professor Dali Sun Talks His Career and Groundbreaking Pancreatic Research

Dr. Dali Sun, professor in biosensor technology, MATLAB, instrumentation and data acquisition at the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, recently published a research paper titled “Integrated proteomic profiling identifies amino acids selectively cytotoxic to pancreatic cancer cells.” 

As explained in the paper’s abstract, “Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most deadly cancers, characterized by extremely limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis, as it is often diagnosed during late disease stages. Through proteomics analysis of extracellular vesicles, we discovered an imbalanced distribution of amino acids secreted by PDAC tumor cells.” 

With Dr. Sun’s focus in biosensing technology and bioinstrumentation, he was excited to put his engineering research to work in advancing clinical tools. 

“Because we are engineers, we do tools to help clinicians or to help researchers to study disease,” said Dr. Sun. “While we study these tools, we found some phenomena that can be divided into three domains or detection algorithms. We then dive into those new masters we developed and try to find a solution.”

As part of the endeavor to find a cure for cancer, the research process also works to ensure that the patient is not suffering during the healing process. “In order to decrease the suffering from the patient, we want to find a solution that does not introduce a lot of side effects,” Dr. Sun said.

In a Q+A with the Ritchie School, he delved into his background and experience in biosensing engineering. 

1. How did you get into biosensing engineering?

I got into biosensing engineering because of my fascination with the intersection of biology and technology. With a multidisciplinary background in Biology, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, I have been able to understand how engineering principles can solve complex biological problems. This unique blend of education and industry experience inspired me to pursue graduate studies focused on biosensing technologies. 

I wanted to develop innovative solutions for detecting and monitoring various biological processes. The potential to make a significant impact on healthcare by creating devices that enable early disease detection and real-time monitoring truly solidified my passion for this field.

2. What inspired you to study and research pancreatic cancer treatment?

One of the inspirations is  the high mortality rate and the lack of effective therapies for this aggressive disease. Pancreatic cancer often presents at an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat. Another source of inspiration for me is that this is the first cancer where I have observed something remarkable through my multidisciplinary approach—an insight that could aid in the detection of this cancer. 

In scientific research, both inspiration and luck play crucial roles. This initial observation, combined with the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies, has driven me to focus my research in this area. Witnessing many patients suffer from severe side effects, and my personal experiences with loved ones affected by cancer, has only heightened my commitment to finding innovative solutions that can improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

3. With pancreatic cancer treatment, how did the multidisciplinary approach come to be?

Our multidisciplinary approach to treating pancreatic cancer arose from recognizing that addressing this complex disease requires expertise from various fields. Initially, our strategy was inspired by data analysis methods grounded in my computer science background. Based on proteomics result, we processed data and found promising leads. To validate these leads, we employed biochemistry and bioengineering techniques, conducting in vitro assays and confirming the concept in vivo with mice. 

By merging the strengths of bioengineering, molecular biology, and clinical research, we have been able to develop comprehensive treatment strategies. Collaboration with experts in these fields has allowed us to design novel therapeutic agents and gain a deeper understanding of the disease's underlying mechanisms. This holistic approach has been pivotal in advancing our research and moving us closer to effective treatments.

4. What is a rewarding aspect of teaching engineering to Ritchie School students?

My teaching philosophy centers on connecting real-world problems to what students are learning. It's incredibly rewarding to see students applying the knowledge from my class directly to their job hunting and future careers. While some engineering concepts can be quite abstract, I strive to make them as easy to understand as possible. 

I firmly believe that no knowledge is too difficult to learn. In my class, students don’t need to know everything to start learning. As a proponent of multidisciplinary education, I encourage students not to be afraid of exploring new fields.

Regardless of your background, come to my class and let me guide you through the learning process. One of the most fulfilling aspects of teaching engineering at Ritchie School is witnessing students grow and develop as they master complex concepts and apply them creatively. Seeing students develop critical thinking skills, innovate, and solve real-world problems is incredibly satisfying. 

5. What was it like to collaborate with other professors at the Ritchie School?

Collaboration is crucial to our scientific success. The Ritchie School has created an environment that strongly supports this. 

As part of the Knoebel Institute of Healthy Aging, I have access to excellent lab resources and facilities. It's easy to connect with other professors in the same building and collaborate with students from different labs, whether for collaboration, suggestions, or quick questions. The diverse expertise and perspectives of my colleagues have significantly enhanced our research projects, leading to innovative solutions. This collaborative atmosphere fosters continuous learning and mutual support, allowing ideas to be freely exchanged and refined. Working with such talented and dedicated colleagues has been both inspiring and essential in advancing our collective research goals.

6. What was it like to collaborate with Ritchie School students on the article?

The first author of the paper, my top student Alfred Akinlalu is exceptionally smart, motivated, and diligent. I am very proud that he has won the DU doctoral fellowship. All my students are highly motivated, excellent and come from diverse backgrounds. It is an honor to be their mentor, and I strive to guide them through the learning process.

7. What is something you’d like the Ritchie School community to know about your research?

Cancer patients still endure severe side effects from treatments and face significant economic burdens because many cancer therapies are very costly. Our lab aims to address these issues from an engineering perspective to work on low-cost cancer detection and treatment solution. Don’t rely on the pharmaceutical industry to focus on these lower-profit therapies; we need your support to continue our research. Our lab is deeply committed to advancing research that has a tangible impact on patient care and health outcomes.

“There’s no really good solution for cancer yet. Patients suffer a lot, and then the current treatment may introduce more side effects. We want to find a mastered solution that does not introduce a lot of side effects that will lower the risk (of suffering) for a patient.” 

If you’re interested in exploring more of the research at the Ritchie School, please check out our page on Research and Innovation. Students can learn from Dr. Dali Sun in courses such as Biosensing Technology (ENGR-3/4450), Instrumentation and Data Acquisition (ENER-3/4100), and Applied MATLAB Programming (ENGR-1572).