Nyasha Chambwe

Nyasha Chambwe, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Her work bridges computational biology and cancer genomics, with a strong commitment to addressing racial and ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes.

• Institution: Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research
• School: Institute for Molecular Medicine
• Adjunct Role: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
• Academic Rank: Assistant Professor

Her research centers on understanding the genetic and molecular underpinnings of cancer disparities, particularly in populations of African descent. By analyzing patient-derived genomic data, she investigates how ancestry-related variations influence tumor biology, treatment response, and clinical outcomes. Her goal is to develop more equitable, precision-based cancer therapies.

Dr. Chambwe’s recent publications reflect a strong focus on cancer genomics, ancestry-based molecular profiling, DNA repair mechanisms, and health equity. Her work often involves integrative analysis of large datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas and other consortia, revealing population-specific biomarkers and therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Notable awards include:

• 2021 Barbara Dooley Emerging Scientist Award (AWSM)
• 2019 ASCB Accomplishing Career Transitions Fellowship
• 2019 Christine Schaeffer Award for STEM Education
• Multiple academic and athletic honors from Jackson State University

She has secured competitive fellowships and awards supporting her transition to independence. While direct mention of students is absent, her role as a principal investigator suggests active mentorship in her lab. Her research is supported by institutional and national funding, enabling high-impact studies in cancer and health equity.

Dr. Chambwe is part of a vibrant research ecosystem at the Feinstein Institutes, which hosts 50 labs and over 3,000 clinical studies, focusing on molecular medicine, autoimmunity, and bioelectronic medicine.