MCWMedical College of Wisconsin · Biomedical Engineering
Kerns Radiogenomics Lab
Sarah L. Kerns · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Research Focus
Dr. Sarah Kerns' lab focuses on improving how prostate cancer patients are treated with radiotherapy by using advanced machine learning techniques to predict potential side effects. They aim to identify patients at risk for severe complications from treatment, which commonly affect quality of life. This research not only helps in personalizing cancer treatment but also explores the genetic factors that contribute to these adverse effects, paving the way for better patient care and therapeutic interventions.
machine learningradiogenomicsprostate cancerradiotherapypredictive modelinggenetic predispositionpatient caretoxicity predictionclinical workflow
Research Aims
3AIM 01Train machine learning models to predict risk of GU and GI toxicity from radiotherapy.
AIM 02Validate the machine learning models using data from independent clinical trials.
AIM 03Assess the integration of predictive models into clinical treatment planning for radiation oncology.
Skills the Lab Values
machine learning modelingbioinformaticsdata analysisgenetic risk assessmentradiation therapy techniquesclinical trial methodologiesSNP analysisdose-volume histogram analysisstatistical software (e.g., R, Python)
Output against the department
Publications161bottom 36% of dept.383rd of 595
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations5.3kbottom 40% of dept.355th of 595
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.