Dr. Kathryn Wellen

Biography

Kathryn E. Wellen is a Professor in the Department of Cancer Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. She also serves as an Associate Investigator at the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and an investigator at the Penn Epigenetics Institute. Her research focuses on the cellular metabolism of cancer cells, particularly how metabolic pathways regulate gene expression and cellular signaling in cancer and metabolic diseases. Wellen's lab studies how cellular processes integrate nutrient availability into signaling networks that influence cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation. Her work has demonstrated that nutrient-sensitive protein modifications, such as histone acetylation, play critical roles in gene expression and chromatin organization, and she is currently investigating the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway's impact on cancer cell metabolism and growth. Wellen’s contributions to the field are recognized through her publications in high-impact journals, where she investigates the intersections of metabolism, genetics, and cancer biology.

Research Interests

Experience