The research scope of The Roarty Lab spans the spectrum of normal breast homeostasis to cancer metastasis. Breast development is constantly reshaped by a combination of hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors. In breast cancer, this landscape is even more complex. The lab’s mission is to understand the molecular underpinnings of breast cancer progression and metastasis, with the intent to develop new approaches for therapeutic intervention. What determines the propensity for metastatic spread in patients? How does the cellular topography within a tumor shape metastatic fitness for tumor cells? How do these cellular landscapes evolve in unfamiliar niches encountered in metastasis? To pursue these questions, we use in vitro 3D organoid platforms, in vivo syngeneic animal models, and patient-derived specimens, together with an arsenal of cutting-edge technologies.