Heather Himburg

Heather Himburg, PhD, serves as Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), where her research focuses on radiation biology and therapeutic development for radiation injury mitigation. Her work bridges translational science and clinical applications in radiation oncology.

Education:

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 2005
• MS in Biomedical Engineering, Ohio State University, 2001
• BS in Physics, Miami University, 1998

Research Focus: Dr. Himburg's laboratory investigates acute and delayed radiation effects on multiple organ systems, with specialization in vascular injury mechanisms and bone marrow microenvironment dynamics. Her team develops countermeasures for hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome and studies cancer stem cell biology to improve radiation therapy safety. Current projects target radioprotective therapeutics for bone marrow, heart, lung, and kidney tissues using preclinical models established by MCW emeritus researchers Meetha Medhora and John Moulder.

Publication Analysis: Her 2024-2025 publications reveal dominant themes in head and neck cancer therapeutics, radiation-induced organ toxicity, and immune modulation. Key trends include molecular radiosensitization strategies (CXCL12 pathways), advanced imaging for treatment response monitoring, and novel countermeasures for radiation syndromes. The work consistently integrates translational approaches from in vitro models to rodent studies, emphasizing clinical applicability in radiation oncology.

Laboratory Structure: The Himburg Laboratory (MFRC 4072/4004 lab, 4076 office) operates as a collaborative hub with Brian Fish directing the Precision Irradiation Core. The team comprises research scientists, technologists, and coordinators specializing in vascular biology, stem cell assays, and radiation countermeasure development, supporting MCW's radiation oncology research infrastructure through the ROCKET Program.