Helen Piwnica-Worms

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Helen Piwnica-Worms
Born1957 (age 66–67)
SpouseDavid R. Piwnica-Worms
Children2
Academic background
EducationBA, Biology, 1979, St. Olaf College
PhD, microbiology and immunology, 1984, Duke University School of Medicine
ThesisCharacterization of ribonucleic acids synthesized in vivo and in vitro by vesicular stomatitis virus (1984)
Academic work
InstitutionsMD Anderson Cancer Center
Washington University School of Medicine
Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center

Helen Margaret Piwnica-Worms (born 1957) is an American cell-cycle researcher. Since 2013, she has served as vice provost of science at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and professor in MD Anderson's Department of Cancer Biology.

Early life and education[edit]

Piwnica-Worms was born in 1957.[1] She received her undergraduate degree in biology from St. Olaf College in 1979 and a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Duke University.[2]

Career[edit]

After completing her postdoctoral training at the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute (1988), she held a non-tenure track instructor position at Dana–Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University (1988-1989). Piwnica-Worms joined the faculty at Tufts University School of Medicine (1989-1992).[2] Between 1992 and 1994, she was an associate professor at Dana-Farber and Harvard.[3] In 1994, she moved to Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) who were recruiting experts in cell cycle control.[4] She was subsequently appointed the Gerty T. Cori Professor and Chair of Cell Biology and Physiology and Professor of Internal Medicine, and served as the associate director of Basic Science at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center.[2] During her tenure at WashU, Piwnica-Worms's research focused on the regulation of the human cell division cycle and how perturbation in its control contributes to human cancer.[5] As such, she began testing ways to use CHK1 inhibitors to stop damaged cells from dividing.[4] During this time, Piwnica-Worms was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2007.[6]

As a result of her research, Piwnica-Worms was promoted to head of the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at Washington University School of Medicine in 2011.[7] In 2013, Piwnica-Worms was recruited to join the MD Anderson Cancer Center as their vice provost of science and professor in MD Anderson's Department of Cancer Biology.[8] During this time, she was also elected a member of the National Academy of Medicine for advancing the understanding and treatment of cancer.[9] In 2019, Piwnica-Worms and her research team discovered that triple-negative breast cancer cells could develop resistance to frontline, or neoadjuvant, chemotherapy by transiently turning on molecular pathways that protect the cells.[10]

Personal life[edit]

Piwnica-Worms is married to her high school sweetheart, radiologist, and biochemist David R. Piwnica-Worms.[11] They have a daughter and a son.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Piwnica-Worms, Helen Margaret, 1957-". Library of Congress. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Helen Piwnica-Worms, Ph.D." MD Anderson Cancer Center. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  3. ^ "Helen Piwnica-Worms". MD Anderson Cancer Center. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  4. ^ a b Simner, Janni L. (Spring 2009). "To Control Cancer's Spread". Washington University. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  5. ^ Groetsch, Kristin (2001). "Women in Medicine". Washington University. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  6. ^ "Helen M. Piwnica-Worms". American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  7. ^ Purdy, Michael C. (March 8, 2011). "Helen Piwnica-Worms named head of cell biology and physiology". Washington University School of Medicine. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  8. ^ "Versatile Bench-to-Bedside Scientist, Research Leader Helen Piwnica-Worms Appointed Vice Provost, Science, at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center". Newswire. February 15, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "Waun Ki Hong and Helen Piwnica-Worms elected to Institute of Medicine". Newswire. October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  10. ^ "Triple negative breast cancers can adopt reversible state that is resistant to chemotherapy". MD Anderson Cancer Center. April 17, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  11. ^ "Why I Give: Learn More About TAMEST Members Drs. Helen and David Piwnica-Worms". Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
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