Lisa M. Harlan-Williams, PhD

Professional Background

Dr. Lisa Harlan-Williams is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center and serves as the Associate Director for Education at The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

She earned her BS in Biology from Henderson State University and completed her PhD in Molecular Genetics under the mentorship of Stephen Benedict, PhD, in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Kansas. Her research interests center on the breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA1) and its role in breast cancer tumorigenesis and cellular metabolism.

Dr. Harlan-Williams directs the KU Cancer Center Accelerate Cancer Education summer research program for high school students, an initiative that provides hands-on research experiences and professional development for future scientists. She is passionate about engaging learners across the academic spectrum and is especially committed to inspiring high school students as they explore oncology-related career paths.

In her Cancer Center leadership role, Dr. Harlan-Williams oversees training, education, and career development activities associated with the P30 Cancer Center Support Grant, coordinating programming and cross-campus educational initiatives. She is also a trained facilitator for the Center for Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER), through which she leads evidence-based mentor training to strengthen faculty and trainee mentoring practices across the institution.

She is an active member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Association for Cancer Education.

• BS, Biology, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR, Arkdelphia, AR
• PhD, Molecular Genetics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, Lawrence, KS
• Other, Maintenance of the microenvironment affecting CD8+ T cell cytolytic activity and life span, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, Tampa, FL
• Other, Identification and characterization of small molecules that increase BRCA1 gene expression, University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS

• American Association for Cancer Education, Member, 2018 - Present
• Cancer Center Administrators Forum , Member, 2009 - Present
• American Association for Cancer Research, Member, 2007 - Present

Research

Overview

Dr. Harlan-Williams is involved in basic cancer biology research related to understanding the role of BRCA1 in breast cancer tumorigenesis and metabolic pathways. Her long-term research goal is to delineate the mechanisms by which BRCA1 influences the metabolic switch that contributes to tumorigenesis. To advance this work, she utilizes in vitro and in vivo models to ensure that laboratory-based discoveries have strong translational relevance and potential benefit for patients.

• K12 Paul Calabresi Career Development Award, NCI, Co-I