Kienan Savage

Prof. Kienan Savage is a Professor in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen's University Belfast, based in the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research. His research focuses on understanding the cellular DNA damage response (DDR) and its role in cancer development and therapy resistance. He investigates links between DDR defects and innate immune activation, particularly involving the cGAS-STING pathway. Key areas include BRCA1/2 deficiency-driven immune responses, combination therapies for solid tumors and blood cancers, and biomarkers for immune checkpoint blockade efficacy.

Prof. Savage leads major initiatives such as the Future Medicines Institute and collaborates on projects targeting DNA repair deficiencies in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. He has secured significant grants including a £1.3m breast cancer study and MDS UK funding. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being.

Prof. Savage has authored over 85 research outputs, including high-impact studies on spliceosome mutations, cGAS-STING modulation, and breast cancer immunotherapy. He actively supervises graduate students and participates in national cancer research forums as Vice Chair of the ECMC Translational Research Forum. His lab explores therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancers with DDR deficiencies and develops novel combination therapies.