Fritz Sieber

Fritz Sieber, PhD, is a tenured Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), cross-appointed in Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology/BMT). He chairs the Steering Committee of the CRI Postdoctoral Training Program and holds adjunct roles in experimental therapeutics and clinical research. His career spans over four decades, with a PhD (Dr sc nat ETH) in Cell Biology/Biochemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (1976), following an MS in Developmental Biology/Biochemistry from the same institution (1971).

Dr. Sieber’s research focuses on selenium-based experimental therapeutics and photodynamic therapy, emphasizing tumor cell targeting and radiation injury mitigation. Core projects include developing merocyanine photosensitizers for cancer treatment, proteinated selenium nanoparticles for selective cytotoxicity, and high-dose selenium protocols to reduce radiation/chemotherapy side effects. His work bridges bench-to-clinic, with a phase I/II trial showing promise in acute myelogenous leukemia patients.

Publications highlight breakthroughs in selenium conjugate mechanisms, photodynamic purging of hematopoietic stem cells, and radiation countermeasures. His research combines molecular biology, drug development, and clinical translation to address unmet needs in oncology and transplantation medicine.