Dr. Joann Sweasy

Biography

Joann Sweasy is the Ensign Professor Emeritus in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the genetic underpinnings of cancer, particularly through the study of mutations and their mechanisms. She has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health since 1994, developing insights into single nucleotide polymorphisms and their implications in DNA repair and cancer risk. Her laboratory has identified critical DNA repair genes that exhibit functional phenotypes in both germline and somatic tissues, which contribute to cellular transformation and genomic instability. Additionally, Sweasy’s work encompasses the development of methodologies to monitor DNA damage and the roles of DNA repair mechanisms in various vertebrate organisms, particularly through mouse model studies. As the Associate Director of Basic Research at the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, she oversees pilot grant competitions and leads efforts in developing a Translational Research Core combining patient health records with genomics data. Her educational background includes a PhD from Rutgers University and extensive postdoctoral training at the University of Washington.

Research Interests