Halime Kalkavan

Dr. Halime Kalkavan is a medical oncologist and researcher at the University Medicine Essen, Department of Medical Oncology, specializing in lung cancer and metastatic uveal melanoma. Her research focuses on Cancer Cell Fate Decisions, regulated cell death (RCD) pathways, and tumor immunology, particularly the role of cytochrome c in stress responses and drug-tolerant persister cells.

• Key expertise in immuno-oncology
• Investigates stress-driven metastasis and dormancy
• Studies bilateral interactions between cancer cells and tumor microenvironment

Her work aims to convert tolerogenic cell death into immunogenic cell death ("cold tumors to hot"). The lab collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and receives funding from UMEA. Current team members include postdocs, PhD students, and lab management personnel.

Scientific Awards:

• Featured in "The Best of Cell Death & Differentiation 2018-2019" collection

Dr. Kalkavan's publications span high-impact journals like Nature Cancer, Cell, and PNAS, with recent emphasis on BCL-B inhibition, RIG-I targeting, and stress response mechanisms in cancer. The lab actively recruits scientists for translational research projects.