Dr. Katherine Nathanson

Biography

Katherine L. Nathanson is a Pearl Basser Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where she leads a research group focused on hereditary breast cancer. Her research expertise includes the study of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, with notable contributions to understanding the variability of cancer risks associated with different mutation types in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Nathanson has published groundbreaking studies in journals such as JAMA and Nature, showcasing the group’s work on moderate-risk gene mutations and their implications in early-onset breast cancer. In addition to breast cancer research, she has made significant advancements in melanoma research, working alongside prominent cancer immunologists to investigate the genetic underpinnings of the disease. Nathanson’s collaborative efforts extend to examining the genetics of neuroendocrine tumors, where her group’s work has identified inherited mutation rates and their association with aggressive disease forms. Her comprehensive research portfolio is bolstered by numerous publications and her active participation in various cancer research consortia at Penn Medicine.

Research Interests

Experience