Katherine Alexander

Katherine Alexander is an Assistant Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and a member of the CSHL Cancer Center. She joined the institution in August 2024 after completing her Ph.D. at Cornell University in 2016 and her B.A. at Carleton College in 2010. Dr. Alexander leads the Alexander Laboratory, which focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation as mediated by nuclear speckles.

Dr. Alexander's research centers on nuclear speckles, which are prominent gene-activating substructures within cell nuclei. Her work investigates two major levels of gene regulation by nuclear speckles: 1) regulation of what DNA is positioned next to speckles (mediated by DNA-binding transcription factors), and 2) regulation of speckle state, which varies in human cancer and correlates with survival and drug responsiveness. She seeks to build textbook models for nuclear-speckle-based gene regulation and apply these paradigms to improve disease outcomes and patient quality-of-life.

Analysis of Dr. Alexander's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the relationship between nuclear speckles and cancer biology, particularly kidney cancer. Her work demonstrates how nuclear organization influences gene expression programs in both normal and pathogenic processes, with significant implications for understanding cancer progression and developing new therapeutic approaches. Her research bridges molecular biology, cell biology, and cancer research, creating a unique interdisciplinary approach to studying gene regulation.

Dr. Alexander's work has received significant media attention, including features in CSHL's "At the Lab" series and "Cocktails & Chromosomes" segments, where she discusses the potential implications of nuclear speckle research for cancer care. Her research on nuclear speckles influencing kidney cancer patient outcomes was highlighted in January 2025 as "A speckle of hope for cancer patients."