Dr. DeFrances earned her Bachelor of Science in Zoology at Duke University. She then studied at the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned first her doctorate in Pathology and then her Medical Degree, which she achieved cum laude. In her research, Dr. DeFrances focuses on characterization of a novel regulator of the PI3K pathway. She explores regulation at the molecular level using in vivo and in vitro models as well as unraveling the role of PI3K signaling in normal and neoplastic human and rodent liver. Also studied is the pathobiology of liver cancer and the biology of liver regeneration in humans and rodents.