Alumni Spotlight on Dr. Pamela Kreeger

Pamela Kreeger, PhD, is a CRS alumna and former PhD student in Dr. Lonnie Shea and Dr. Teresa Woodruff's labs. She is currently Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

What is your connection to the CRS community (mentor and position) and what is your current position? 

I was a PhD student in the labs of Lonnie Shea and Teresa Woodruff from 2000-2005. I am currently Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Could you describe your current research? 

My laboratory is focused on understanding how the tissue microenvironment is altered in high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and how these changes support tumor progression, with the ultimate goal of identifying mechanisms that can be countered in order to improve patient prognosis and quality of life. Our approach relies on two engineering skills that I have extensive expertise in 1) the development of biomimetic systems to examine cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions and 2) the use of computational modeling to analyze complex and multivariate experimental data. To conduct our studies, we collaborate with clinicians, biologists, and engineers with other skill sets. 

We are currently focused on two general themes. First, how does the ECM of the microenvironment change with tumor onset – and in the case of ovarian cancer, do these changes precede tumor cell arrival since the metastatic and primary sites are in contact through the peritoneal fluid. Second, we know that tumor cells metastasize as both single cells and collectives of cells – what regulates this process and what aspects are common or unique between the two routes. 

What aspect(s) of CRS did you find most valuable?  

I really appreciated the annual symposium – this was one of the first presentations I did and I was fortunate enough to win a poster award and later and award for a podium presentation. These gave me a boost of confidence that really helped since when I presented in engineering settings I was usually the odd one! 

What has been the most valuable aspect to your training as a reproductive scientist in CRS? 

To realize that it was ok that I didn’t know everything I might need to know to work on my project - I could learn from others, teach myself from papers/books, and generally was able to build the skill set I needed as I went along. 

What would you recommend to junior scientists in order for them succeed in their scientific careers?​ 

Get comfortable with feeling stupid. I recommend the paper “The importance of stupidity in scientific research” to every trainee that joins my lab. You have to get comfortable not knowing the answers, and actually being excited about that. You have to get comfortable asking other people for suggestions and ideas, even though it may mean you are showing the gaps in your training.  

I also remind students – don’t become an a**hole. Science is already full of them. But it’s also full of some really awesome people – seek out the good people and you’ll be much happier and still do really cool things. 

What do you think will be the next big contribution in the reproductive biology field?  

Since I don’t work directly in reproductive biology I’m not sure I have a great answer. I hope that there are big contributions coming to improve equity, particularly in maternal/fetal outcomes. 

Do you have any notable stories from your time in CRS? 

I remember Teresa celebrating her lab’s 10th anniversary with a cake that had a photo printed on top. I always wondered what the bakery thought of the photo of a stimulated rat ovary!