Labs to Legacy: Inspiring Science and Mentorship

By Office of the President | Sep 17, 2024

Christopher Lange, D. Phil., began a journey into science with a transformative summer at The Jackson Memorial Laboratory (JAX) in Bar Harbor, Maine. A hands-on lab project about peripheral nerve regeneration sparked his passion. He earned an S.B. from MIT and a D.Phil. from Oxford University’s Faculty of Medicine. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for his successful radiation oncology and research career.

After almost a decade in England—eight years in the National Health Service—he returned to the U.S. to join the University of Rochester. He arrived at Downstate in 1980 and helped establish the Radiation Oncology Department. His research today focuses on how cancer stem cells influence patients’ responses to radiation therapy.

Shaped by the mentors who guided him early in his career, mentorship has always been close to Dr. Lange’s heart. Over the years, he has mentored hundreds of students at all stages, from high schoolers to medical fellows, passing on the guidance that shaped his journey. His dedication to nurturing future scientists is a powerful testament to the importance of mentorship in shaping careers in science.

Dr. Lange continues inspiring the next generation of scientists, passing on the same encouragement that once shaped his career. His advice, though simple, carries great wisdom: “Find a problem that captivates you, master the art of solving it, and always pursue what you love.”

For Dr. Lange, a career fueled by passion is a life well-lived. This past summer, he had the opportunity to mentor Erica Lui, a rising junior at the Bronx High School of Science, who is deeply involved in the school’s Biology Research Program. Her commitment to science has brought her into the lab, where she now benefits from Dr. Lange’s guidance. (Read more about Erica in the Shout Outs section.)

Dr. Lange’s contributions are well known. Poland’s president awarded him the Knight’s Cross, Order of Merit, for advancing Polish science and education, and he also received the Marquis “Who’s Who in the World” Lifetime Achievement Award. Fluent in Polish, Dr. Lange also serves as a commissioner for the Kosciuszko Foundation, promoting educational exchanges between the U.S. and Poland.

Now a Professor of Radiation Oncology at Downstate, Dr. Lange also serves as Director of Radiation Research and Associate Director of the Residency Program. His specialties include understanding the cellular and molecular basis of tissue failure, DNA repair, and the role of cancer stem cells in treatment outcomes. Through his expertise, he continues to push the boundaries of personalized cancer treatment, predicting clinical outcomes based on the sensitivity of individual patients’ cancer stem cells to proposed therapies.

Dr. Lange’s deep commitment to research and education makes him a leading figure in radiobiology, and his educational accomplishments from two of the world’s top institutions continue to influence his groundbreaking work today.