Brigitte C. Widemann

Brigitte C. Widemann is a renowned oncologist and medical researcher specializing in the study and treatment of neurofibromatosis. She currently serves as the Chief of the Pediatric Oncology Branch at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Early Life and Education

Brigitte C. Widemann was born and raised in Germany. She completed her undergraduate studies in biology and chemistry before moving to the United States for her medical education. She earned her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Career

Following her graduation, Widemann completed her residency in pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She then pursued a fellowship in pediatric oncology at the National Cancer Institute.

In her role as the Chief of the Pediatric Oncology Branch at the NCI, Widemann leads a team of researchers and clinicians dedicated to improving the lives of children and young adults with cancer and genetic tumor predisposition syndromes. Her research primarily focuses on the development of new therapies for patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue.

Research and Contributions

Widemann's research has led to significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of neurofibromatosis. She has been instrumental in the development of selumetinib, a drug that has shown promise in shrinking tumors in children with NF1. Her work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals and she is often invited to speak at international conferences on pediatric oncology and neurofibromatosis.

Awards and Recognition

Over the course of her career, Widemann has received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to the field of pediatric oncology. These include the NIH Director's Award and the Distinguished Clinical Teacher Award from the NIH Clinical Center.

See Also

• Neurofibromatosis
• Pediatric Oncology
• National Cancer Institute
• National Institutes of Health