Steen Henning Hansen

Steen Henning Hansen, M.D., Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, based at Boston Children's Hospital. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cancer development, particularly in epithelial cells, with emphasis on GTPase signaling, cell adhesion, and tumor suppression pathways. Dr. Hansen directs an active research laboratory investigating oncogenic signaling and has secured continuous NIH funding for over two decades.

• Principal Investigator on 5 NIH grants from 2003-2025
• Published 49 peer-reviewed articles with over 2,000 citations
• Specializes in Rho GTPase signaling in cancer biology

Dr. Hansen's research primarily investigates GTPase-activating proteins and their role in epithelial cell biology and cancer development. His work has established critical connections between Rho GTPase signaling, cell adhesion through cadherins, and tumor suppression mechanisms. The laboratory employs advanced techniques including CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, single-cell analysis, and sophisticated mouse models to study cancer pathogenesis, with particular focus on fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma and epithelial oncogenesis. Recent work has expanded into immunological aspects of cancer, particularly how tumor cells interact with the immune system.

Analysis of Dr. Hansen's 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on cell signaling pathways in cancer, with increasing emphasis on the Hippo pathway, immune interactions, and precision oncology approaches. His work demonstrates an evolution from fundamental cell biology mechanisms toward translational applications, with several publications directly addressing potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Notably, his research bridges basic molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, particularly in liver cancer and epithelial malignancies.

Dr. Hansen has received substantial research funding throughout his career, with continuous NIH support since 2003. His current portfolio includes an R03 grant investigating innate immune signaling in fibrolamellar carcinoma (2023-2025) and previously led multiple R01 and R21 grants focused on RhoGAP signaling in epithelial oncogenesis. His laboratory has trained numerous postdoctoral fellows and graduate students who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry.

The Hansen laboratory operates within the Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital research ecosystem, collaborating extensively with experts in immunology, gastroenterology, and cancer biology. The lab maintains strong connections with the Blavatnik Institute and utilizes core facilities for advanced microscopy, genomics, and animal modeling. Current research directions include developing novel models of fibrolamellar carcinoma, investigating mitochondrial metabolism in cancer, and exploring the interface between cell adhesion signaling and immune recognition in tumors.