Kay-Uwe Wagner
Position Title
Professor
Basic Science
Office Location
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Elliman Building, RM 1122
421 E Canfield
Detroit, MI 48201
Mailing Address
Karmanos Cancer Institute
4100 John R., EL01TM
Detroit, MI 48201
Office Phone
313-578-4334
Biography
Dr. Wagner is a Professor in the Department of Oncology at Wayne State University and the Lloyd and Marilyn Smith Endowed Chair for Breast Cancer Research. He leads the Tumor Biology and Microenvironment Program at the NCI-designated Comprehensive Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, MI. Dr. Wagner is internationally recognized for his research in mammary gland biology, breast and pancreatic cancer, and the generation of unique genetically engineered models. Dr. Wagner received his Ph.D. degree in Animal Genetics from the University of Halle-Wittenberg in Germany in 1995 and completed his postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, from 1995 to 2000. He received several honors and awards, including the 2022 Drs. Anthony and Joyce Danielski Kales Endowed Faculty Award for Innovative Cancer Researcher for his role as the principal investigator of a multi-institutional research team that identified the cellular origin of a specific triple-negative breast cancer subtype called claudin-low. He has authored over 148 publications with total citations of over 15,000 according to Google Scholar.
Education Training
(1995) Ph.D., Animal Genetics, University of Halle-Wittenberg, umma cum laude, Halle, Germany
(1991) Diploma, Animal Sciences, University of Leipzig, magna cum laude, Leipzig, Germany
(1986-1991) B.Sc. program in Agricultural Sciences, University of Leipzig, Department of Agriculture, Leipzig, Germany
Postgraduate Training
(1995-2000) Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes; Digestive, and Kidney Diseases; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Metabolism; Laboratory of Genetics and Physiology in Bethesda, MD
(1997) Postdoctoral fellowship, German Research Society (DFG) This is a competitive fellowship given only to selected applicants for a period of 3 years (grant Wa 1119/1-1). Bethesda, MD
(1996) NIH supplemental fellowship, National Institutes of Health, Given to individuals for excellent research progress
Bethesda, MD
(1996) Visiting fellowship, National Institutes of Health, Grant 369VFDK013712. Bethesda, MD
(1995) Postdoctoral fellowship, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) This is a competitive, 1 –year fellowship, which was given to selected applicants from East Germany for training at an Institution in the US.
Professional Experience
Faculty Appointments
(2018-Present) Professor, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(2010-2018) Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
(2006-2010) Associate Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
(2004-2006) Associate Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
(2000-2004) Assistant Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Hospital or Other Professional Appointments
(2018-Present) Program Leader, Tumor Biology and Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(2009-2017) Co-Program Leader, Molecular and Biochemical Etiology Program (MBEP), NCI-designated UNMC-F&P Buffet Cancer Center
Major Professional Societies
(2008-Present) American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Honors and Awards
(2022) Wayne State University School of Medicine’s College Teaching Award
(2022) Drs. Antony and Joyce D. Kales Endowed Faculty Award for Innovative Cancer Research, KCI
(2019) Dr. Gloria Heppner Innovative Science Award, KCI
(2018) Lloyd and Marilyn Smith Endowed Professor for Breast Cancer Research, KCI
(2014) UNMC Research Leadership Award, University of Nebraska Medical Center, In recognition of exceptional research service, given to 5 faculty members from all of UNMC that year
(2012) UNMC Outstanding Mentor of Graduate Students Award
University of Nebraska Medical Center, In recognition of outstanding mentorship of graduate students
(2008) UNeMed Innovator Award, University of Nebraska Medical Center, In recognition of the development of licensed technologies, JAK2 knockout mouse model
(2007) UNeMed Innovator Award, University of Nebraska Medical Center, In recognition of the development of licensed technologies, TSG101 knockout mouse model
(2006) UNMC Distinguished Scientist Award, University of Nebraska Medical Center, In recognition of outstanding research service, given to 4 faculty members from the Eppley Institute
(1997) Postdoctoral fellowship, German Research Society (DFG)
This is a competitive fellowship given only to selected applicants for a period of 3 years (grant Wa 1119/1-1).
(1996) NIH supplemental fellowship, National Institutes of Health
Given to individuals for excellent research progress
(1995) Postdoctoral fellowship, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)This is a competitive, 1 –year fellowship, which was given to selected applicants from East Germany for training at an Institution in the US.
(1995) Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Preis, University of Halle/Wittenberg
In recognition of an exceptional PhD. defense (summa cum laude). This award is sponsored by the Deutsche Bank and given to only one selected individual per year.
(1995) Martin-Luther-Medal, University of Halle/Wittenberg
In recognition of an exceptional PhD. Defense. This award is given only to selected few individuals who graduated with summa cum laude.
(1993) Predoctoral fellowship, German Research Society (DFG)
This is a competitive fellowship given only to selected applicants.
(1991) 3-yr predoctoral fellowship, Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes. This fellowship is given to only about 2% of applicants.
I was one of the first students from East Germany with this fellowship
Courses taught
2019-present CB7220 Molecular Biology of Cancer Development Cr. 3, two lectures per year on gene editing
2018-present IBS7015, Interdisciplinary Cell and Molecular Biology Cr. 6, 3 lectures per year on Cancer Biology, Cancer Cells (2018-present)
Research
Numerous genes have been identified that are crucial for normal development and cancer. Their role is being studied in our research group through their deregulated expression in transgenic animals and through their deletion from the mouse genome by homologous recombination. Specifically, our laboratory has the expertise to overexpress genes in a temporally and spatially controlled manner using the tet system and to delete genes in a tissue-specific and temporally controlled fashion using the Cre/loxP recombination system. Current projects include the analysis of cytokine signaling through the Jak/Stat and PI3K/Akt pathways as well as the role of c-Myc and oncogenic Kras in the initiation and maintenance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Research Interests
https://www.wagnerlab.net/projects
Publications
https://www.wagnerlab.net/publications