Ryan B. Jensen

Ryan B. Jensen, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Yale School of Medicine with primary appointments in Therapeutic Radiology and secondary appointments in Pathology. He leads the Jensen Lab within the Yale Cancer Center and is a member of the DNA Damage and Genome Integrity Program.

Dr. Jensen's research focuses on DNA double-strand break repair mechanisms, particularly the role of BRCA2 in homologous recombination. His lab employs a multi-disciplinary approach combining biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, structural biology, and proteomics to study how BRCA2 interacts with RAD51 and other proteins in DNA repair pathways.

His recent publications (2019-2025) demonstrate a consistent research trajectory focused on BRCA2 function, RAD51-mediated DNA repair, and the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development in DNA repair-deficient backgrounds. The lab has made significant contributions to understanding BRCA2's biochemical properties and how mutations affect its function.

Dr. Jensen's work has significant implications for understanding cancer susceptibility and developing targeted therapies for BRCA-deficient cancers. His research on BRCA2 variants of uncertain significance bridges basic science with clinical applications in cancer risk assessment and treatment selection.

• BRCA2 Protein Function
• DNA Damage and Repair Mechanisms
• Homologous Recombination
• RAD51-Mediated Strand Exchange
• BRCA-Related Cancer Mechanisms
• PARP Inhibitor Sensitivity

The Jensen Lab provides research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in DNA repair mechanisms and cancer biology. Current students include Jennifer Garbarino and Joshua Matthew. The lab has established collaborations with multiple researchers at Yale, including Peter M. Glazer, Ranjit S. Bindra, and Gemma Moore.