Rate My Professor Kristina Thiel

Kristina Thiel, PhD, serves as Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Reproductive Science Research at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She directs the Kristina Thiel Laboratory Group, founded in June 2022, which employs cutting-edge preclinical models such as patient-derived organoids and xenografts to develop personalized and precision treatment options for gynecologic cancers, including endometrial and ovarian cancers. A member of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Thiel investigates molecular mechanisms underlying drug responses, hormone therapies, and novel combination treatments like GLP1-R agonists with chemotherapy. Her laboratory's work advances precision medicine by modeling patient-specific tumor behaviors to identify effective therapies and overcome resistance.

Thiel's career at the University of Iowa includes a postdoctoral fellowship followed by her current faculty appointment. She has co-authored over 97 peer-reviewed publications, accumulating more than 3,600 citations. Notable contributions include 'TP53 Sequencing and p53 Immunohistochemistry Predict Recurrence in Endometrial Cancer' (Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2022), 'High Stathmin Expression is a Marker for Poor Clinical Outcome in Endometrial Cancer' (Gynecologic Oncology, 2017), and 'AZD1775 Increases Sensitivity to Olaparib and Cisplatin in Endometrial Cancer' (Clinical Cancer Research, 2018). Thiel serves on the Research Executive Committee and as Assistant Leader of the Cancer Genes and Pathways Program at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and on the editorial board of Uterine Research. She is a co-founder of Immortagen, Inc., a University of Iowa spin-out, and was inducted into the University of Iowa Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors in 2025. Her research influences therapeutic development and clinical strategies in gynecologic oncology, complemented by mentoring students and delivering seminars such as the College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series.