Disciplines/Field of Instruction

• Biology
• Genetics

Degrees Received

• Ph.D. Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, 2021.
• B.S. Genetics; Minor: Wildlife Science, Purdue University, 2015.

Publications

• Borges, K.S.*, Little III, D.W.*, Magalhes, T.A., Ribeiro, C., Basham, K.J., Azova S., O’Connell, A.E., Guagliardo, N.A., Barrett, P.Q., Berbur, M., Mohan, D.R., Turcu, A., Breault, D.T., and Hammer, G.D. Non-canonical Wnt signaling is critical for adrenal development and disease. In preparation. *co-first author.
• Little III, D.W., Dumontet, T., LaPensee, C.R., and Hammer, G.D. (2021). β-catenin in adrenal zonation and disease. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 522 (15). doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111120.
• van Rooyen, D., Lerario, A.M., Little III, D.W., Ullenbruch, M.R., Taylor, M.J., Gomez-Sanchez, C.E., Hammer, G.D., and Rainey, W.E. (2024). Chronic activation of Gq signaling induces Cyp11b2 expression in the zona fasciculata and hyperaldosteronism. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 585(24): 112176.
• Mohan, D.R., Borges, K.S., Finco, I., LaPensee, C.R., Solon, A., Rege, J., Little III, D.W., Else, T., Almeida, M.Q., Apfelbaum, A., Vinco, M., Wakamatsu, A., Mariani, B.M.P., Latronico, A.C., Mendonca, B.B., Zerbini, M.C.N., Fragoso, M.C.B.V., Lawlor, E.R., Ohi, R., Rainey, W.E., Venneti, S., Marie, S.K.N., Giordano, T.J., Breault, D.T., Lerario, A.M.*, and Hammer, G.D.*. Repressive epigenetic machinery coordinate SF-1/β-catenin-dependent differentiation in aggressive adrenocortical carcinoma. *co-senior author. Cancer Research 2023 Jul 5;83(13):2123-2141. doi: 10.1158/0008- 5472.CAN-22-2712.
• Maiyuran, N. and Little III, D.W. (2023). The impact of race and gender on the prognosis of breast and pancreatic cancer. Research Archive of Rising Scholars. http://doi.org/10.58445/rars.235.
• Collings, C.K., Little III, D.W., Schaefer, S.J., and Anderson, J.N. (2019). HIV chromatin is a preferred target for drugs that bind in the DNA minor groove. PLOS One 14 (12):e0216515. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216515.

Presentations

• Fritcha, E. and Little III, D.W. Psychiatric Genetic Counseling for Adolescents: A Review of Current Research Methods and Perspectives. Second Annual State of Michigan Clinical Genetics Conference, Grand Rapids, MI. Abstract submitted.
• Little III, D.W., Borges, K.S., Basham, K.J., Azova, S., O’Connell, A.E., Dumontet, T., LaPensee, C.R., Breault, D.T., and Hammer, G.D. WNT2B is Essential for Adrenocortical Progenitor Cell Fate and Zona Glomerulosa Identity In Vivo. ENDO 2021, virtual. Selected for Outstanding Abstract Award.
• Little III, D.W., Basham, K.J., and Hammer, G.D. WNT2B Regulates Adrenocortical Progenitor Cell Fate and Zona Glomerulosa Identity In Vivo. ENDO 2020, San Francisco, California. (Canceled due to COVID-19). Selected for Endocrine Society Presidential Poster Presentation and Outstanding Abstract Award.
• Little III, D.W., Basham, K.J., and Hammer, G.D. Loss of WNT2B in the adrenal capsule leads to reduced adrenal weights and cortical proliferation in mice. Cancer Biology Program Retreat (2019).
• Little III, D.W., Basham, K.J., and Hammer, G.D. Elucidating the role of WNT2B in adrenocortical development and homeostasis. Cancer Biology Program Retreat (2018).
• Little III, D.W., Basham, K.J., and Hammer, G.D. The role of WNT2B in adrenal development and homeostasis. Cancer Biology Program Retreat (2017).
• Little III, D.W., LaPensee, C.R., and Hammer, G.D. Exploring the role of Ccdc80 in adrenal stromal cell adhesion, development, and cancer. Cancer Biology Program Retreat, 2016. Selected for 3rd Place.

Committees

• Co-Chair, Faculty Summit Committee, Concordia University Ann Arbor, 2023-Present
• Member, Institutional Review Board, Concordia University Ann Arbor, 2023-Present

Awards and Distinctions

• Outstanding Abstract Award - ENDO 2022, National Endocrine Society Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA - Abstract Title: WNT2B Deficiency Results in Hyperreninemic Hypoaldosteronism in Humans and Mice.
• Outstanding Abstract Award - ENDO 2021, National Endocrine Society (virtual) - Abstract Title: WNT2B is Essential for Adrenocortical Progenitor Cell Fate and Zona Glomerulosa Identity In Vivo.
• Outstanding Abstract Award, Presidential Poster Presentation - ENDO 2020, Endocrine Society, San Francisco, CA - Abstract Title: WNT2B Regulates Adrenocortical Progenitor Cell Fate and Zona Glomerulosa Identity In Vivo. Conference canceled due to COVID-19.

Memberships

• National Audubon Society, 2020-Present
• Endocrine Society, 2016-2022
• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2015-2018