Steffi Oesterreich, Ph.D.
Professor at the University of Pittsburgh
Co-Director of the Womens Cancer Research Center, a collaboration between UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation/UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Co-Leader Cancer Biology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Research Areas
Steffi received her PhD at the Humboldt-University in Berlin, Germany (1992). During this time, she performed research studies in the group of Professor Heinz Bielka at the Max Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine in Berlin-Buch, and became interested in breast cancer research. She conducted her postdoctoral studies in the laboratory of Dr. Suzanne Fuqua in the Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX, headed by Dr. Kent Osborne (1992-1999). She then started her own group, and continued breast cancer research studies as Assistant and Associate Professor in the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. In 2010, Dr. Oesterreich moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where she currently is Professor and Vice-Chair in the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology at the University of Pittsburgh, and Director of Education at the Women’s Cancer Research Center.
During her early career, Dr. Oesterreich was supported by a Susan G Komen Fellowship, DAAD, and a Howard Temin (K01) award. Her research was subsequently funded by NCI, CDMRP, and a number of foundations. These include BCRF, which has supported Dr. Oesterreich’s research on ILC since 2012. Dr. Oesterreich is also a Komen Scholar, an international advisory group that helps to guide Komen’s research and scientific programs, education and advocacy work, and public health efforts in the U.S. and abroad.
Steffi is also an enthusiastic fan of the Pittsburgh sports teams!
Steffi is happily married to Dr. Adrian Lee, also a breast cancer researcher, Director of the Womens Cancer Research Center, and Director of the Institute of Precision Medicine. Their two daughters Paula and Nicola are students at the University of Pittsburgh.