Stefan M. Pfister

Professor Stefan M. Pfister serves as Director of Preclinical Pediatric Oncology at the Hopp Children's Tumor Center (KiTZ) Heidelberg and Head of the Department of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). He is also a Senior Physician at the Department of Pediatrics III, Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology at Heidelberg University Hospital, where he serves as Deputy Head of the Section "Center for Individualized Pediatric Oncology (ZIPO) and Brain Tumors".

His research focuses on pediatric neuro-oncology, particularly molecular genetics of childhood brain tumors. He leads the research group "Molecular Genetics of Childhood Brain Tumors" at DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital. His work prominently features DNA methylation-based tumor classification, medulloblastoma genomics, and translational research in pediatric brain cancers.

His extensive publication record shows significant contributions to the 2021 WHO Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors, DNA methylation profiling for tumor classification, and comprehensive genomic analyses of childhood cancers. His research bridges molecular diagnostics with clinical applications, aiming to improve classification systems and treatment approaches for pediatric brain tumors.

• Director of Preclinical Pediatric Oncology, Hopp Children's Tumor Center Heidelberg
• Head of Department of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
• Senior Physician, Department of Pediatrics III, Heidelberg University Hospital
• Deputy Head, Center for Individualized Pediatric Oncology (ZIPO) and Brain Tumors
• Director of Children's Tumor Center (KiTZ) Heidelberg since 2016

Professor Pfister has received recognition through his extensive publication record in top-tier journals including Nature, Nature Genetics, and Neuro-Oncology. His leadership in international consortia has advanced the field of pediatric neuro-oncology through collaborative research efforts spanning multiple continents.

His academic journey began with medical studies at Hamburg and Tübingen universities (1994-2002), followed by postdoctoral work at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and DKFZ. He completed his habilitation and Venia Legendi for pediatrics at Heidelberg University in 2010 and has led his research group since 2006. His additional Master's degree in Management (2015) complements his scientific leadership roles.