https://medicine.ouhsc.edu/academic-departments Parent Page: Academic Departments id: 21483 Active Page: Oncology Science id:27744
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Department of Oncology Science

The Department of Oncology Science seeks to provide a research home to trainees, young investigators, and national/international leaders working in the areas of cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. We intend to achieve this through programs of excellence in research, education, outreach, and cost-effective patient care. The Department of Oncology Science is committed to facilitating interdisciplinary, collaborative, and innovative team-science to make OU Health Sciences Center a world-leader in translational cancer research.

Research Themes

The department is focused on several key areas of cancer research.

  • Signaling basis of cancer cell growth, cell death, and senescence
  • Mechanisms of chemo- and radiotherapy resistance
  • Metabolic alterations in cancer cells supporting survival under various abiotic stresses, including hypoxia, low pH, and nutrient deprivation
  • Metabolic vulnerabilities of various cancer types
  • Cancer-induced systemic organ failure, including cachexia
  • Tumor immunology, immunotherapies, and immunometabolism
  • Epigenetic and transcriptomic alterations and intratumoral heterogeneity
  • Cancer health disparity research

Department of Oncology Seminar Series

The Department of Oncology Seminar Series is focused on current and emerging areas of cancer research. The seminars are organized with the goal of educating faculty, postdocs, students, and other trainees about the latest advancements in the field and facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations. 

Thank you to all of our 2024-2025 Seminar Series speakers!

Follow us on X and Instagram for upcoming 2025-2026 seminar presentation announcements!

 @OncologyScience                 @ouoncologyscience

News and Events

Postdoctoral Paper of the Year Awarded at the GREAT Symposium!

Postdoctoral Paper of the Year Awarded at the GREAT Symposium!


Published: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Chunbo He from the Mehla Lab was awarded Postdoctoral Paper of the Year at the GREAT Symposium!

"The Graduate College symposium at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences showcases excellence in research and academic discourse, providing students and research fellows the opportunity to compete for grants and prizes."

Check out the article and addtional details from OU News here.

Watch a video recap of the 2024 GREAT Symposium below.