Lisa Chesner

Lisa Chesner, PhD is an Associate Researcher in the Department of Urology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. She holds a BS in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (2011), an MS in Pharmacology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (2014), and a PhD in Pharmacology from the same institution (2018).

Dr. Chesner's research focuses on prostate cancer mechanisms, particularly DNA repair pathways, epigenetic alterations, and androgen receptor signaling. Her work integrates genomic, epigenomic, and functional approaches to understand prostate cancer progression and identify potential therapeutic targets. She has developed specialized methodologies for studying DNA-protein crosslink repair mechanisms, which have been foundational to her research program.

Her publication record demonstrates a clear progression from fundamental DNA repair mechanisms to sophisticated cancer genomics applications, with increasing focus on prostate cancer since 2017. Recent work includes comprehensive analyses of chromatin accessibility, DNA methylation landscapes, and three-dimensional genome organization in advanced prostate cancer.

• Prostate Cancer Foundation 2020-2023 Young Investigator Award
• Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program 2020 Early Investigator Research Award
• University of Minnesota 2018 Milne and Brandenburg Award
• University of Minnesota 2018 Dr. Marvin and Hadassah Bananer Research Award
• University of Minnesota 2016-2018 NHLBI T32 Training Grant
• University of Minnesota 2018 Honorable Mention, 3 Minute Thesis

Dr. Chesner has established herself as a prominent researcher in prostate cancer genomics through her collaborative work with the West Coast Prostate Cancer Dream Team and other major research consortia. Her 2019 'One-Eyed Sheep' Talk winning the Postdoc Slam demonstrates her ability to communicate complex scientific concepts effectively.