Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) is proud to announce that Malene Hansen, PhD, has been promoted from associate professor to the rank of full professor in the Development, Aging and Regeneration Program.
“Promotion to professor is the highest academic rank at SBP and consistent with the expectations of a premier research institute. Malene is a leading independent researcher at a world-class level with national and international reputation, and has shown excellence in leadership working with students and post-doctoral trainees, academic colleagues, as well as administrative personnel at our Institute. On behalf of all of us at SBP, I congratulate Malene on her achievement and wish her continued success in her career,” says Kristiina Vuori, MD, PhD, president of SBP.
Hansen’s research has significantly contributed to our understanding of the molecular basis of aging, with particular focus on autophagy—a basic cellular process by which cell components are degraded and recycled. Her work has provided key insights on how autophagy functions in aging, and may facilitate future treatments of age-linked disorders, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
In addition to the more than 20 scientific papers that she has published since joining SBP in the fall of 2007, Hansen has authored numerous review articles, textbook chapters, and demonstrated outstanding service to the scientific community by helping organize, co-chair, and present at international conferences, workshops and academic seminars. She also serves as a reviewer for numerous academic journals.
Since coming to SBP, Hansen has demonstrated her value as a teacher and mentor, and has taken on the roles of associate dean for Student Affairs and faculty advisor of Postdoctoral Training within our Institute’s Office for Education, Training and International Services. Most recently, she was awarded the 2017 Mentor of the Year Award by the National Postdoc Association, an achievement that underscores her passion for mentoring.
Hansen completed her PhD at Copenhagen University, Denmark, and was a postdoctoral in the lab of Dr. Cynthia Kenyon at University of California, San Francisco.