Academic Rank

Assistant Professor

Professional Qualifications

MSc, Radiation Biophysics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
PhD, Biophysics, University of Oslo

Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
Scientific Associate, Ontario Cancer Institute
Associate Member, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto

Academic & Clinical Interests

• Molecular and cellular responses to hypoxia
• Regulation of hypoxia-induced differential gene expression
• Mechanisms of mRNA translation
• Regulation of cancer cell metabolism
• Regulation of endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis and secretory capacity
• Identification of molecular markers of tumor hypoxia
• Identification of molecular targets and pharmaceutical agents for cancer therapy

Current Research Projects

• Tumor hypoxia (poor oxygenation) limits efficacy of radio- and chemotherapy and promotes a more malignant phenotype. Our aim is to identify novel treatment strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of tumor hypoxia. To this end, we are exploiting pharmaceutical agents that affect the tumor microenvironment. We also aim to better understand how hypoxia regulates signaling and gene expression that confers altered metabolism, cancer cell survival and metastasis. See also www.wklab.org.

Selected Publications

See current publications list at PubMed.