From the bench to the patients’ bedside, our staff conduct basic, translational, and clinical research to advance the field of pediatric oncology.
Pediatric Oncology Branch
Information for Patients
Learn more about our clinical trials and the highly specialized care teams who lead them.
Pediatric Oncology Branch
About
The Pediatric Oncology Branch is dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young adults with cancer and genetic tumor predisposition syndromes. We conduct translational research that spans basic science to clinical trials. Our clinical studies are performed in an environment that supports our patient’s medical and emotional needs, alongside cutting edge scientific research.
Whether you are a referring physician, family member or patient with childhood cancer or neurofibromatosis, or are interested in training at the Pediatric Oncology Branch, we hope that this website will provide the information you need to access our programs.
Brigitte C. Widemann, M.D.
Chief, Pediatric Oncology Branch
Clinical Trials
Job Vacancies
Position | Degree Required | Contact Name | Contact Email |
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Staff Scientist - Behavioral health, psychosocial research | Ph.D. or equivalent | Dr. Lori Wiener | lori.wiener@nih.gov |
Post-doctoral Fellow - Cancer biology, epignetics | Ph.D. or equivalent | Carol Thiele, Ph.D. | thielec@nih.gov |
News
POB Hike - March 2023
POB leadership bridging the past and the future generations of pediatric oncology researchers, making time outside the lab & clinic!
EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, Visits POB - Oct 12, 2022
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POB's Research Roundup - May 12, 2022
We hosted our annual Research Roundup event for the first time in-person (with a virtual option) since 2019. Senior fellows gave talks, and trainees presented posters about their research on childhood cancers. POB also welcomed Dr. Douglas Hawkins, Chair of the Children’s Oncology Group, as the keynote speaker. Dr. Xiyuan Zhang, from Dr. Jack Shern’s lab, won the Crystal Mackall Excellence in Research Award for her talk, “Loss of PRC2 Enforces a Mesenchymal Neural Crest Stem Cell Phenotype in NF1-deficient Cancer Through Activation of Core Transcription Factors.”
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POB Chief, Dr. Brigitte Widemann, named Special Advisor on Childhood Cancer
Dr. Widemann was named Special Advisor on Childhood Cancer to the NCI Director at the meeting of the National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB) on February 10th, 2022. Watch this video to learn more about her perspectives on childhood cancer research. Learn more about Dr. Widemann and her research here.
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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
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Selumetinib Approved by FDA to Treat Children with NF

Special Initiatives
In collaboration with other groups at NCI, we are engaged in special initiative programs aimed at advancing research and finding treatments for rare solid tumors and RASopathies.

Training
POB is invested in training the next generation of scientists and offers training opportunities ranging from post-baccalaureate fellowships to post-doctoral fellowships, including a joint program in pediatric-hematology oncology with Johns Hopkins University.