Ludmila Prokunina-Olsson

Ludmila Prokunina-Olsson is a renowned geneticist and cancer researcher known for her significant contributions to the field of molecular biology. She is currently serving as a Senior Investigator at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Prokunina-Olsson was born and raised in Russia. She completed her undergraduate studies in biology at the Moscow State University, one of the most prestigious universities in Russia. She then pursued her Ph.D. in genetics from the same university.

Career[edit | edit source]

After completing her Ph.D., Prokunina-Olsson moved to the United States to further her research. She joined the National Cancer Institute, where she has made significant contributions to the understanding of cancer genetics and molecular biology. Her research primarily focuses on the identification and functional characterization of genetic variants associated with human diseases, particularly cancer.

Research and Contributions[edit | edit source]

Prokunina-Olsson's research has led to the discovery of several important genetic markers associated with various types of cancer. One of her most notable discoveries is the identification of a novel interferon, Interferon Lambda 4 (IFNL4), which plays a crucial role in the human immune response to hepatitis C virus infection and other diseases.

Awards and Recognition[edit | edit source]

Prokunina-Olsson's work has been recognized with several awards, including the NIH Director's Award for her groundbreaking research on the role of IFNL4 in human health and disease.