Best known for her work in immunology of skin cancer, Dr. Kripke showed that chronic exposure to UV radiation produces cancers that are highly antigenic and that immune alterations induced by UV are responsible for tumor survival and spread. She discovered that mice exposed to UV radiation develop a selective, systemic immune suppression, and her work led to a new field of photoimmunology. Dr. Kripke’s research has provided insight into how an immune system compromised by UV radiation contributes to the development of melanoma and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases.
Dr. Kripke established a new basic research department at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and later served as vice president for academic programs and executive vice president and chief academic officer. She has been a leader in many organizations dedicated to research and collaboration and has contributed substantially to the field of environmental science.
Career Highlights
2009 Finsen Medal for Photomedicine, International Union of Photobiology
2007 Lifetime Achievement Award, The American Skin Society
2004 Lifetime Achievement Award, American Society for Photobiology
2003-2011 Member, President’s Cancer Panel
2001-2007 Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, UTMDACC
1999-2001 Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, UTMDACC
1997 Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
1997 President, American Society for Photobiology
1995-1996 Chair, EPA Research Strategies Advisory Committee
1995 Herman Pinkus Memorial Award, American Society of Dermatopathology
1993-1994 President, AACR
1986-1989 Board of Directors, American Association for Cancer Research
1983-1998 Professor and Chair, Department of Immunology, UTMDACC
1979-1983 Director, Cancer Biology Program, NCI-Frederick Cancer Research Center
1970 PhD, University of California, Berkeley