Dr. Vivian Gudrun Oehler is an Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine and an Associate Professor in the Translational Science and Therapeutics Division at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. She maintains an active clinical practice at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center - South Lake Union Clinic, specializing in hematologic malignancies with particular expertise in chronic myeloid leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, and myelodysplastic syndromes. Dr. Oehler received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1997, followed by residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Hematology at the University of Washington. She completed post-doctoral research training in the Jerald Radich Laboratory. Board certified in both Medical Oncology (2003) and Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine, she has established herself as a leading clinician-scientist in leukemia research. Her research program employs a translational approach to investigate the molecular mechanisms of leukemia disease initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. The Oehler Lab has generated and analyzed extensive gene and microRNA expression datasets from CML and AML patient samples, identifying molecular signatures associated with disease progression and treatment response. Key discoveries include gene signatures predictive of CML progression to acute leukemia and novel roles of noncoding RNAs in therapy resistance mechanisms. She is actively developing tools to better prognosticate outcomes for CML patients and testing new therapeutic agents in clinical trials. Dr. Oehler's publication record demonstrates consistent productivity through 2025, with a strong emphasis on clinical applications of basic research findings. Her recent work focuses on novel therapeutic approaches for refractory chronic myeloid leukemia, including clinical trials of next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors and investigations into molecular mechanisms of drug resistance. She contributes significantly to clinical practice guidelines and serves as principal investigator for multiple phase I-III clinical trials. As a clinician, Dr. Oehler emphasizes patient-centered care, stating: 'Explaining complicated treatment choices to patients in ways that will allow them to make the right choices for themselves is very important to me. My relationships with my patients during difficult times is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.' She treats patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, myelodysplastic syndrome, aplastic anemia, and other blood disorders. Dr. Oehler leads the Oehler Lab at Fred Hutch, which works closely with the Clinical Research Division and collaborates with researchers across institutions through the CML Consortium. Current research directions include developing predictive markers for therapy response, investigating the role of noncoding RNAs in leukemia, and testing novel therapeutic strategies for refractory disease. She is actively involved in mentoring junior investigators and trainees interested in hematologic malignancies research.
