Sign In / Sign Out
Navigation for Entire University
School of Life Sciences
Novel coronavirus information
Spring 2021 update | FAQ page | Class flexibility for students | Novel coronavirus updates
Karen Anderson
Professor
Faculty
TEMPE Campus
Mailcode
6401
Biography
Dr. Karen Anderson is a tumor biologist who studies how the immune system can be harnessed to detect and alter cancer development. For example, cancer causes the body to produce specific antibodies, which she and her research team can use as biomarkers to detect cancer in early stages of its growth. They use the alterations in immune response to develop new biomarkers for breast, ovarian, pancreatic and HPV-related cancers.
Dr. Anderson and her collaborators use molecular techniques, such as in vitro protein arrays, next-gen sequencing, and high-throughput functional genomics, to study early alterations in cancer development. They examine the abnormal characteristics of cancer to identify novel targets for cancer treatment and vaccine development.
Education
- Ph.D. Department of Microbiology and Immunology Duke University, Durham NC
- M.D. Duke University School of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program
- B.A. Department of Chemistry University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Google Scholar
Research Interests
The Anderson laboratory is focused on understanding how the immune response can be used to detect and alter cancer development. To create an effective cancer immunotherapy, Dr. Andersons team identifies target antigens for vaccine development, and understanding of the mechanisms of immune regulation that limit effective immunotherapy. The lab uses proteomic tools to perform immunoprofiling for cancer and infectious disease detection and monitoring.
Research Group
Publications
- Chowell D, Castillo-Chavez C, Krishna S, Qiu X, Anderson KS. Modelling the effect of early detection of Ebola. Lancet Infectious Diseases (2015).
- Anderson KS, Cramer DW, Sibani S, Wallstrom G, Wong J, Park J, Qiu J, Vitonis A, LaBaer J. An Autoantibody signature for the serologic detection of ovarian cancer. Journal Proteome Research (2014).
- D'Souza G, Gross N, Pai SI, Haddad R, Anderson KS, Rajan S, Gerber J, Gillison ML, Posner MR. Oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer cases and their partners. Journal of Clinical Oncology (2014).
- Marks JR, Anderson KS, Engstrom P, Godwin AK, Esserman LJ, Longton G, Iverson ES, Mathew A, Patriotis C, Pepe MS. Construction and Analysis of the NCI-EDRN Breast Cancer Reference Set for Circulating Markers of Disease. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev (2014).
- Zeng W, Su M, Anderson KS, Sasada T. Artificial antigen-presenting cells expressing CD80, CD70 and 4-1BB ligand efficiently expand functional T cells specific to tumor-associated antigens. Immunobiology (2014).
- Wallstrom G, Anderson KS, LaBaer J. Biomarker Discovery for Heterogeneous Diseases. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (2013).
- Jaras K and Anderson KS. Autoantibodies in cancer: Prognostic Biomarkers and Immune Activation. (0).
Research Activity
- Anderson,Karen S*, Blattman,Joseph Nathan, Yan,Hao. Single Cell Technologies for Rapid Detection of Tumor Heterogeneity. HHS-NIH-NCI(9/1/2015 - 7/31/2018).
- Anderson,Karen S*. Conditionally Reprogrammed Cells as a New Tool for Biobanking. GEORGETOWN UNIV(8/31/2015 - 8/31/2016).
- Blain Christen,Jennifer Mary*, Anderson,Karen S. SCH: INT: Disposable High Sensitivity Point of Care Immunosensors for Multiple Disease and Pathogen Detection. NSF-CISE-IIS(8/1/2015 - 7/31/2019).
- Anderson,Karen S*. Detection of HPV16 Serology in Head and Neck Cancer. (4/10/2015 - 8/31/2015).
- Anderson,Karen S*, Borges,Chad Randolph. Targeting Breast Cancer Tumor Antigens for Immunotherapy. BCRF(3/1/2015 - 2/29/2016).
- Anderson,Karen S*, Blattman,Joseph Nathan, Yan,Hao. Single Cell Analysis of Breast Cancer Tumor Heterogeneity. ASU-Mayo Seed Grant(1/1/2015 - 12/31/2015).
- Mangone,Marco*, Anderson,Karen S. Detection and validation of miRNA targets in breast cancer. HHS-NIH-NCI(9/12/2014 - 8/31/2016).
- Anderson,Karen S*. Validation of Biomarkers of Risk for the Early Detection of Lung Cancer. Vanderbilt(7/1/2014 - 6/30/2016).
- Anderson,Karen S*. Rapid disease diagnostics using photonic crystal enhanced antigen biomarker microarrays. UNIV OF ILLINOIS - CHAMP/URBAN(6/1/2014 - 5/31/2019).
- Anderson,Karen S*. Establishment of Conditionally Reprogrammed Breast Cell Lines. MAYO CLINIC SCOTTSDALE(3/10/2014 - 3/9/2015).
- Anderson,Karen S*. Photonic Crystal Enhanced Fluorescence: Development of Sensor Structures and Detection Instrumentation for Multiplexed Biomarker Detection. UNIV OF ILLINOIS - CHAMP/URBAN(9/17/2013 - 8/31/2015).
- Davies,Paul*, Anderson,Karen S, Davies,Pauline A, Lindsay,Stuart, Lindsay,Stuart, Meldrum,Deirdre Ruth, Ros,Robert. YR 5: Beyond Center - A Center for the Convergence of Physical Science and Cancer Biology. HHS-NIH-NCI(9/1/2013 - 8/31/2015).
- Anderson,Karen S*. Conditionally Reprogrammed Cells as a New Tool for Biobanking. GEORGETOWN UNIV(9/1/2013 - 8/31/2014).
- Davies,Paul*, Davies,Paul*, Anderson,Karen S, Davies,Pauline A, Lindsay,Stuart, Lindsay,Stuart, Meldrum,Deirdre Ruth, Ros,Robert. YR 4: Beyond Center - A Center for the Convergence of Physical Science and Cancer Biology. HHS-NIH-NCI(9/1/2012 - 8/31/2013).
- Anderson,Karen S*, Labaer,Joshua, Wallstrom,Garrick L. Mutation-Specific p53 Antibodies as Biomarkers of Pancreatic Cancer. HHS-NIH-NCI(8/8/2012 - 7/31/2014).
- Labaer,Joshua*, Anderson,Karen S, Qiu,Ji, Wallstrom,Garrick L, Wallstrom,Garrick L. Biomarker Detection Using NAPPA Tumor Antigen Arrays. HHS-NIH-NCI(8/1/2010 - 6/30/2016).
Courses
| Spring 2021 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MIC 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
| Fall 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| MIC 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Summer 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Spring 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MIC 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
| Fall 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| MIC 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MIC 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Summer 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Spring 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| AML 590 | Reading and Conference |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Fall 2018 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Summer 2018 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Spring 2018 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| AML 590 | Reading and Conference |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Fall 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Summer 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Spring 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| AML 590 | Reading and Conference |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Fall 2016 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 189 | Life Sciences Career Paths |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| Summer 2016 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BDE 792 | Research |
Presentations
- Karen Anderson, M.D., Ph.D. "Programmable protein microarrays for cancer biomarker detection.". UC Riverside Environmental Toxicology Program (Nov 2014).
- Karen Anderson, M.D., Ph.D. "Molecular Biomarkers for the Early Detection of Cancer". The Third Annual Global Biomarkers Consortium, San Francisco, CA (Oct 2014).
- Karen Anderson, M.D., Ph.D. "Proteomics for Early Detection of Cancer". Lankenau Institute, Philadelphia, PA (Sep 2014).
- Karen Anderson, M.D., Ph.D. "Designing Pipelines for Breast Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Validation.". NCI W.W.- Japan Joint Workshop on Biomarkers for Early Cancer Detection, Bethesda, MD (Feb 2014).
- Karen Anderson, M.D., Ph.D. "Modeling immune regulation of tumor dormancy". NCI Mathmatical Models of Breast Cancer Worksop (Jan 2014).
- Karen Anderson. Immunotherapy of Breast Cancer: Using Proteomics for Immune Monitoring. Lecture Series - Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN (Aug 2012).
- Karen Anderson. Mapping the immunome: Using proteomics for cancer detection and prognosis". MCB 701 (Jan 2012).
Honors/Awards
Health Care Heroes Award, Phoenix Business Journal
Most Influential Women in Arizona, Arizona Business Magazine
Professional Associations
American Association for Cancer Research American Society of Clinical Oncology
Service
- Faculty Search Committee, SoLS-Biomarkers, Member (2014 - Present)
- Womanity 2014 Panel, Presenter, Panel/Presenter (2014 - Present)
- Mayo Clinic, Educational Lectures, Speaker (2014 - Present)
- TGen Breast Cancer Retreat, Speaker (2014 - Present)
- ASU Foundation’s Women & Philanthropy Program, "Detecting Cancer: From Bench to Bedside", Presenter (2013 - Present)
- Basis Chandler High School, biomarkers to detect cancer at early stages, vaccine development and cancer treatment, guest speaker, (2013 - Present)
- AZ Science Center - Framing New Pathways to Medical Discovery for Families, Students, and Teachers. New Frontiers in Medical Science, Presentation (2013 - Present)
- Horizon (PBS) Invited Interview, Collaboration - Making a Difference in Medical Research and Public Health, Interview (2013 - Present)
- City of Phoenix Women's Commision, Panel (2013 - Present)
- Executive Committee for the AZ Biomarker Alliance, Member (2012 - Present)
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Arizona Research Committee, Member (2012 - Present)
- College of Reviewers, Genome Canada, Large Scale Applied Research Project Competition, Member (2012 - Present)
- Genome Canada, Large Scale Research Projects Review Committee, Member (2012 - Present)
- Komen IIR PED & IIR/CCR METIR Peer Review Committee, Member (2012 - Present)
- NCI Physical Sciences of Oncology, Center Advisory Committee, Member (2012 - Present)
- Cancer Biomarkers Study Section, Center for Scientific Review, Member (2012 - 2016)
- NCI Cancer Bioamarkers Study Section Committee, Ad-hoc (2011 - 2016)
- NCI Cancer Biomarkers Study Section Committee, Standing member (2012 - 2016)
- DNASU Faculty/Scientific Advisory Committee, SoLS, Member (2014 - 2016)
- Komen IIR PEd & IIR/CCR Metir Peer Review Committee, Member (2014 - 2014)
- NCI AIDS associated Opportunistic Infections (AOIC) Review Committee, Ad hoc member (2014 - 2014)
- NCI Detection of Pathogen associated Cancer committee, Ad hoc committee member (2014 - 2014)
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Arizona Research Committee, Member (2014 - 2014)
- Platform Technologies Challenge, Keck Foundation, Reviewer (2013 - 2014)
- Facilities Committee, Member (2012 - 2013)
- Faculty Search Committee, School of Life Sciences, Member (2012 - 2013)
- Women In Stem, Workshop Lean In, Panelist (2013 - 2013)
- Komen IIR PEd & IIR/CCR Metir Peer Review Committee, Member (2012 - 2013)
- ASU-NIH Day, Best Practice for WRiting Proposals for NIH, Panelist (2013 - 2013)
- ASU Faculty Women's Assocation, Panelist (2012 - 2012)
- NCI Cancer Bioamarkers Study Section Committee, Ad-hoc (2011 - 2012)
- Breast Cancer Interest Group, Member (2011 - 2012)
- MCB Graduate School Admissions Committee, Member (2011 - 2012)