معرفی
Simon Powell is Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), with a joint affiliation in the Molecular Biology program. He is a key figure in the Tri-Institutional Graduate School of Medical Sciences and contributes significantly to cancer research and clinical leadership in radiation oncology.
His educational background includes:
- Medical training at the University of London
- PhD in DNA double-strand break repair from the Institute of Cancer Research, London
- Clinical oncology specialist training with research at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital
Simon Powell's research focuses on DNA repair processes in human cancers, particularly homologous recombination and its role in replication-coupled repair. His lab investigates how defects in these pathways can be exploited therapeutically, with emphasis on backup DNA repair mechanisms in HR-deficient cancers. This work aims to develop mechanism-inspired cancer therapeutics, especially for breast cancer patients with genomic instability.
He leads efforts within the MSK SPORE in Genomic Instability in Breast Cancer to improve detection of DNA repair defects and personalize treatment. His research bridges molecular biology, radiation oncology, and translational medicine.
Notable scientific awards include:
- ASTRO Gold Medal (2023)
- Fellow of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (FASTRO, 2014)
- Distinguished Teaching Award, MSKCC (2010)
- Chair, Gordon Research Conference in Radiation Oncology (2008)
- Rohan Williams Medal, Royal College of Radiologists (1988)
- Corpus Christi College Award (1976)
Dr. Powell has mentored numerous trainees and students in his laboratory and through his leadership roles at Harvard, Washington University, and MSKCC. He has received major research funding through the MSK SPORE grant and other institutional and federal sources, supporting his work in DNA repair and cancer therapeutics. His career trajectory reflects sustained excellence in both clinical and research domains.
He leads a vibrant research laboratory at MSKCC focused on DNA repair mechanisms, working in close collaboration with the Molecular Biology program and the Breast Cancer SPORE team. His lab is central to advancing the understanding of genomic instability and developing novel therapeutic strategies.
