Kristina H. Young, MD, PhD
Earle A. Chiles Research Institute
Medical director, Providence Cancer Institute Radiation Oncology
Radiation oncologist at The Oregon Clinic and Providence Cancer Institute
Dr. Young is a physician scientist with an interest in how radiation affects cells of the tumor microenvironment (the tumor and its surrounding area), and how to manipulate those cells to improve the effectiveness of therapy. Currently, she leads the Tumor Microenvironment Lab at the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, a Providence Center of Excellence for immuno-oncology and cellular therapy. She is also a practicing physician at Providence and is board-certified in radiation oncology.
With expertise in immunotherapy and the tumor microenvironment in head and neck, breast and gastrointestinal malignancies, Dr. Young is positioned to translate research discoveries in the lab to the clinic and provide novel therapies to patients. Along with her work at Providence, Dr. Young is an affiliate assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University.
The overall goal of the Tumor Microenvironment Lab is to investigate radiation effects on the tumor microenvironment and use them to enhance the local and systemic effects of radiotherapy. The lab’s work has resulted in several peer-reviewed publications, as well as research support, including the Radiologic Society of North America Research Seed Grant, American Society of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award, the Sidney Kimmel Foundation Translational Scholar Award and a Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Research Grant.
- Residency, Oregon Health & Science University, 2011-2015
- Internship, Providence St. Vincent’s Medical Center, 2010-2011
- Doctor of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 2003-2010
- Doctor of Philosophy, Cell & Developmental Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2006-2008
- Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, University of California, 1999-2003
- Medical director, Radiation Oncology, Providence Cancer Institute, 2021-present
- Affiliate assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 2020-present
- Radiation oncologist, The Oregon Clinic, 2015-present
- Assistant member, Tumor Microenvironment Laboratory, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, 2015-present
- Instructor, Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 2014-2015
- Chief resident, Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 2014-2015
- Ad hoc grant reviewer for Austrian Science Fund
- Ad hoc grant reviewer for the National Science Center Poland
- Ad hoc reviewer for Clinical Cancer Research
- Ad hoc reviewer for Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology
- American Association for Cancer Research
- American College of Physicians
- American Medical Association
- American Physician Scientist Association
- American Society for Radiation Oncology
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- Co-chair, NRG Immunotherapy/Immunomodulation committee
- Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland
- Oregon Medical Association
- Radiation Research Society
- Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
- Reviewer for Diseases of the Esophagus
- Reviewer for Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
- Team Science Award, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, 2020
- Early Career Achievement Award, Oregon Health & Science University, 2020
- Resident Paper of the Year, Oregon Health & Science University, 2014
- Invited speaker, Johns Hopkins Radiation Oncology Grand Rounds, 2014
- RSNA Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award, Oregon Health & Science University Department of Radiation Medicine, 2013-2014
- First Prize, Resident Presentation, NW Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, 54th Annual Meeting, 2013
- Outstanding Medical Student in Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University Department of Radiation Medicine, 2010
- Albert M. Kligman Fellowship, Society of Investigative Dermatology, 2007
Dr. Young’s research is published in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals. She has partnered with colleagues on various research projects.