Wynand Roos PhD

Wynand Paul Roos is an Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Albert Medical School, Brown University, Rhode Island, USA, where he began his tenure at the beginning of this year (2024). With a career dedicated to exploring the intricate realm of environmental genotoxicity and therapeutic-induced DNA lesions, he brings a wealth of experience and insight to his academic pursuits.

Roos's journey into the field commenced during his doctoral studies at the Radiobiology laboratory of the University of Stellenbosch Medical School. Here, he delved deep into the protective and tolerance mechanisms that confer resistance to cancer cells against ionizing radiation, laying the groundwork for his subsequent endeavors. Following the completion of his Ph.D., he embarked on a transformative 21-year tenure in Germany, where he was stationed at the Institute of Toxicology, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz.

In Germany, Roos's research trajectory pivoted towards the study of DNA damage induced by alkylating agents, a significant class of compounds with implications both in environmental exposure and cancer therapy. Across his postdoctoral years (2002-2008) and later as a principal investigator (2009-2023), he meticulously dissected the cellular responses elicited by these agents. His investigations not only encompassed elucidating DNA repair pathways but also unraveling the intricate mechanisms governing cell death in response to genotoxic insults.