Stephen Francis, PhD
Research Interests: Cancer epidemiology, computational and molecular epidemiology, genetics, viruses, human endogenous retroviruses, retroelements, exosomes
The goal for the Francis Lab is to contribute to understanding of the etiology and genetics of brain tumors and other cancers. To achieve that goal a combination of population-based epidemiology, molecular biology and computational biology are employed. Current active projects include examining exosomes as early biomarkers and prognostic indicators, germline risk of polymorphic retrotransposons, somatic variations and the general epidemiology of brain tumors. Core to our approach is an evolutionary lens where all systems are viewed as the consequence our of complex and delicate evolution that is driven by selection, especially infection. Our biology is the result of our evolution and our diseases are the consequence of that biology, this framework guides our investigations.
2004: BS, Environmental Science, University of Redlands
2011: MS, Epidemiology/Biostatistics, UC Berkeley
2014: PhD, Epidemiology, UC Berkeley
2014-2016: Postdoctoral Fellow, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Neurosurgery
2016 - 2019: Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, University of Nevada, Reno
2016 - 2019: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UCSF
2019 - Present: Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, UCSF
2017: Research Article Highlight of the Year: Blood Cancers, NCI
2016: Brain Tumor Epidemiology Consortium (BTEC) Young Investigator Award
2016: Cancer Center Impact Award, UCSF
2014: NIH T32 Fellowship, UCSF