The overarching research goal of the Diehn lab is to develop and translate novel diagnostic assays and therapies to improve personalized treatment of cancer patients. We have a major focus on the development and application of liquid biopsy technologies for human cancers, with a particular emphasis on lung cancers and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). We also investigate mechanisms of treatment resistance to radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted agents. Most of our research projects start by identifying an unmet need in the clinical management of cancer patients that we then try to solve via development or application of novel technologies. We use genomics, bioinformatics, stem cell biology, genome editing, mouse genetics, and preclinical cancer models in our work. Discoveries from our group are currently being tested in multiple clinical trials at Stanford and elsewhere in order to translate them into the clinic.
Associate Professor
Vice Chair of Research
Division Chief of Radiation & Cancer Biology
Stanford Departments and Centers:
Radiation Oncology
Stanford Cancer Center
Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
T32 affiliation:
Cancer Etiology, Prevention, Detection and Diagnosis
Institutional Training Grant in Genome Science
Postdoctoral Training in the Radiation Sciences
Research Interests: