Andrea Henle

Andrea Henle is an Associate Professor of Biology at Carthage College in Wisconsin. She holds a B.A. in biochemistry from the College of St. Benedict and a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences-immunology from the Mayo Clinic. Her postdoctoral research at MIT focused on cancer immunology and teaching, followed by a visiting professorship at Bard College before joining Carthage in 2015. Her research investigates uveal melanoma progression using zebrafish models and explores space biology's impact on cancer under microgravity and radiation conditions. She has authored studies in Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research, The Journal of Immunology, and Journal of Visualized Experiments, and co-invented a breast cancer recurrence prevention peptide. Notable media features include a 2019 Nature spotlight on early-career researchers and commentary on NASA's lunar missions.

• Education: B.A. College of St. Benedict (Biochemistry), Ph.D. Mayo Clinic (Biomedical Sciences-Immunology)

Research focuses on molecular pathways driving uveal melanoma metastasis, leveraging zebrafish transparency for real-time tumor monitoring. Current projects include studying spaceflight factors' effects on cancer development and advancing immunotherapy strategies targeting HER2/neu antigens. She has pioneered undergraduate laboratory modules integrating zebrafish models to study pigmentation and cell biology, emphasizing hands-on learning.

Publications highlight cellular and genetic mechanisms in cancer, including GNAQ/11 mutations' roles in melanoma and TAP1/TAP2 downregulation in breast cancer. Her work bridges basic science and translational research, with a patent for a HER2/neu-based peptide vaccine. Teaching spans institutions like MIT, Harvard, and Carleton College, emphasizing multicultural pedagogy from her Singapore teaching experience.