Nathanson Takes Leadership Role at Abramson Cancer Center

Katherine L. Nathanson, MD

Katherine L. Nathanson, MD

Internationally recognized cancer geneticist Katherine L. Nathanson, MD, has accepted a new role as deputy director of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania. Also at the Abramson Cancer Center, Nathanson is the associate director for population sciences, co-leader of the Cancer Control Program, and chief oncogenomics physician. In addition, she is a professor of translational medicine and human genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania and the director of genetics for the Basser Center for BRCA.

In her new role as deputy director, she will be tasked with overseeing the Abramson Cancer Center’s scientific and clinical missions, such as the development and assessment of programs and strategic planning for the center and its resources.

“I’m honored to take on this new leadership role to advance the mission of the Abramson Cancer Center: to reduce the burden of cancer throughout the region, the nation, and the world by extending our integrated program of laboratory, clinical and population-based research,” Nathanson said in a statement.

First joining the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania in 2001, Nathanson has since published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles and has been a part of many important organizations for genetics and cancer research, including the American College of Medical Genetics, American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Clinical Investigation, and the American Association of Physicians. In addition, she is the chair of the cancer genetics section for the National Institutes of Health and acts as the editor of cancer genetics for theGenetics in Medicinejournal.

“Dr Nathanson is a distinguished physician-scientist and has long been a valued colleague and member of the cancer center,” Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, director of the Abramson Cancer Center, said in a statement. “Her clinical and research portfolio incorporates an impressive array of diseases. She has played a critical role in many of the Abramson Cancer Center’s most recent advancements and is well known as an international expert in somatic and germline cancer genetics. I am delighted she has accepted this new leadership role.”