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Bruce F. Kimler, Ph.D.

Bruce Kimler portrait
Professor, Radiation Oncology
BKIMLER@kumc.edu

Professional Background

Dr. Bruce Kimler is a radiation biologist and breast cancer researcher at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He is a Professor and Vice-Chair for Research and Faculty Development in the Department of Radiation Oncology. He also plays a leadership role in the Breast Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Research Centers.

Dr. Kimler completed his BA (1970), MA (1971), and PhD (1973) degrees at the University of Texas at Austin. After post-doctoral stints at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, IL and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, he joined KUMC in 1977 as Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1980 and Full Professor in 1984. During his career he has also held secondary appointments in the Department of Radiation Biophysics at the University of Kansas in Lawrence; the International Molecular Cytology Program of the Instituto de Investigaciones Citologicas in Valencia, Spain; and as a Graduate Faculty Member in the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics.

Education and Training
  • PhD, Zoology, University of Texas-Austin, Austin, Texas
  • Post Doctoral Fellowship, Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
  • Post Doctoral Fellowship, Radiation Biology, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL
Professional Affiliations
  • Radiation Research Society, Selection Committee for Radiation Research Editors’ Award , Member, 2021 - Present
  • Radiation Research Society, Audit Committee, Chair, 2014 - Present
  • Radiation Research Society, Financial Auditor, 2012 - Present
  • Radiation Research Society, Constitution & Bylaws Committee, Co-Chair, 2011 - Present
  • Radiation Research Society, Finance Committee, Member, 2011 - Present
  • Radiation Research Society, Website Committee, Member, 2011 - 2012
  • Radiation Research Society, International Association for Radiation Researchv, Councilor, 2011 - Present

Research

Overview

Dr. Kimler has published more than 200 peer-reviewed research articles. His current research interests include:

- Development and validation of biomarkers for prediction, prevention, and detection of breast cancer; and use in the conduct of Phase I and II clinical trials of potential chemopreventive agents and strategies.
- The development of biological test systems in which the interactions of ionizing radiation can be tested. These studies assess, at the experimental level, combined modality approaches for cancer therapy, radiation-induced damage to specific organ systems, and mitigation of normal tissue damage.
- Analysis of prospective and retrospective clinical data for elucidation of prognostic and predictive factors related to clinical outcomes.

Since 1996, he has collaborated with Dr. Carol Fabian, a breast medical oncologist, to conduct more than 30 clinical trials, enrolling more than 5,000 women who are at high risk for development of breast cancer or who are survivors of a breast cancer diagnosis. Most of the trials involve acquisition of normal breast tissue by random periareolar fine needle aspiration (RPFNA) to identify favorable modulations of risk biomarkers that are predictive of the efficacy of an agent or strategy to reduce risk for breast cancer. These efforts have been funded by $30 million in grants from the National Cancer Institute, foundations, and pharmaceutical companies; for which Dr. Kimler was either the Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigator, or Co-Investigator.