Oliver Hankinson

Oliver Hankinson is a Distinguished Research Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), affiliated with the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. He earned a B.Sc. in Genetics from Edinburgh University and a Ph.D. in Genetics from Cambridge University, followed by postdoctoral training at Harvard, University of Colorado, and UC Berkeley. His career at UCLA includes leadership roles as Director of the Viral and Chemical Carcinogenesis Program Area of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Vice Chair for Research in Pathology.

Oliver Hankinson's research focuses on the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR), a protein mediating the toxic effects of pollutants like dioxin. His groundbreaking work includes cloning ARNT, the first AHR subunit identified, which initiated studies on the bHLH-PAS transcription factor class—later linked to Nobel Prize-winning research. Current studies explore how dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit breast cancer progression via AHR-dependent mechanisms and identify responsive patient populations.

Recent publications highlight AHR's role in cancer, metabolism of fatty acids, and hypoxia signaling. His work spans molecular toxicology, epigenetics, and pharmacology. Awards include the 2019 Society of Toxicology Education Award, 2011 Distinguished Toxicology Award, and 2013 AAAS Fellowship. He continues to chair the Molecular Toxicology interdepartmental doctoral program, shaping graduate education in toxicology.