Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada. In 2012, approximately 23,300 Canadians were diagnosed with CRC and 9,200 have succumbed to the disease. A major challenge in improving treatment response in CRC patients is the development of chemotherapy resistance in tumors. In particular, resistance is thought to be conferred by a subset of proteins that are differentially expressed in CRC. To identify novel approaches to re-sensitize CRC cells to therapy, a comprehensive understanding of how these proteins counteract drug-induced cell death is needed. My proposed research aims at delineating the role of NPM1, a protein that is highly expressed in CRC, in perturbing key signaling pathways that are important in controlling abnormal cell growth. In particular, details of how NPM1 antagonizes drug-induced cell death will be examined. This knowledge will aid in the design of novel therapies to overcome cancer chemotherapy resistance.