Roswell Park Welcomes New Chair of Molecular and Cellular Biology

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A scientist with more than 20 years of experience has been appointed as the new Chair of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Erik Knudsen, PhD, will also serve as the Co-Leader of the Cancer Center’s Genetics and Genomics Program. Prior to this, he worked at the University of Arizona Cancer Center as the Associate Director of Basic Research, and Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine at the University of Arizona.

“I’m very excited to join the team at Roswell Park and work with people who are dedicated to understanding, preventing and curing cancer. My goal is to decipher some of cancer’s complexities and develop new therapies that help patients live longer and have a better quality of life,” says Dr. Knudsen.

The Seattle native is a standing member of the Cancer Etiology Study Section at the National Institutes of Health, which reviews grant applications related to causal agents, processes and cells involved in carcinogenesis, the process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells. Dr. Knudsen has also authored or co-authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, articles, and book chapters, and has been awarded numerous grants. He’s even spoken around the world about his research.

“Dr. Knudsen is a national and internationally recognized leader in cancer research who brings energy, skill and leadership to the critical roles of Chair and Program Co-Leader. I am confident that his more than two decades of experience will tremendously continue to advance our mission of eliminating cancer’s grip on humanity. We’re excited to welcome him to Roswell Park,” says Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, FRCOG, FACOG, the Deputy Director at Roswell Park.

Dr. Knudsen holds a PhD from the University of California San Diego.

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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@roswellpark.org