Kristin R. Swanson named Professor and Vice Chair of Research for Neurological Surgery

After 12 years at the University of Washington, Kristin Rae Swanson, PhD, has been named professor and vice chair of research for neurological surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

As part of a recruitment effort to expand the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute (NBTI), Kristin Rae Swanson, PhD, has been named professor and vice chair of research for the Department of Neurological Surgery effective October 22, 2012.

Swanson comes to Feinberg from the University of Washington, where she served as the James D. Murray Endowed Chair of Applied Mathematics in Neuropathology as part of the Nancy and Buster Alvord Brain Tumor Center. During her 12-year career there, she led a well-funded research effort pioneering the field of mathematical neuro-oncology as a novel means to generate personalized medicine approaches for primary brain tumors. Swanson has a talent for developing collaborative networks comprised of strong multidisciplinary researchers, scientists, clinicians, and trainees, which will strengthen the Brain Tumor Institute’s research endeavors.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute at such an exciting time of growth and opportunity,” Swanson said. “The institutional and community investment in growing the NBTI is astounding and I am delighted to be part of this exceptional group. I know my lab will contribute to this growth through the integration of our science into the clinical and research fabric of the Northwestern community.”

As vice chair for research, Swanson’s mentoring skills will be invaluable. In 2010, she was honored with the University of Washington Research Mentor of the Year Award. Swanson is also a member of multiple national organizations, including the American Association for Cancer Research, the Society for Mathematical Biology, the Society for Neuro-Oncology, and the Society for Nuclear Medicine.

“Dr. Swanson has distinguished herself as a leading authority in the area of mathematical models of gliomas and her research efforts will be a tremendous asset to the Northwestern scientific community,” said James Chandler, MD, surgical director of the NBTI.

See the announcement here