Marka R. Crittenden, MD

Marka R. Crittenden, MD, PhDMember and Michael Kelley Endowed Chair for Cancer Research, Integrated Therapeutics Laboratory
Earle A. Chiles Research Institute
Providence Cancer Institute

Medical director, Translational Radiation Research
Earle A. Chiles Research Institute
Providence Cancer Institute

Radiation oncologist
The Oregon Clinic
Providence Cancer Institute

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Dr. Crittenden is board-certified in radiation oncology with additional doctoral training in immunology. She has a strong interest in developing immunotherapies for cancer. Whether in the laboratory or the clinic, patients are her primary focus.

As a physician scientist, she works to give her patients the best in clinical care. As a scientist, she engages in research to improve treatments for cancer. She is an active investigator of clinical trials, combining immunotherapy with radiotherapy in multiple cancer subtypes. She also leads the Integrated Therapies Lab at the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, a Providence Center of Excellence for immuno-oncology and cellular therapy, in partnership with member Michael J. Gough, Ph.D.

In 2021, Dr. Crittenden received the Michael Kelley Endowed Chair for Cancer Research in recognition of her efforts in translational cancer therapy.

Integrated Therapies Lab 

The Integrated Therapies Lab is a collaborative research effort between Dr. Crittenden and Dr. Gough. It combines their expertise in surgical, medical and radiation oncology to translate hypotheses from preclinical models into more effective cancer treatments. The lab studies the ability of cytotoxic therapy to provide large-scale cancer cell death in vivo, while modifying the profile of immune cells within the tumor. 

Education
  • Chief resident, Department of Radiation Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2008-2009  
  • Residency, Department of Radiation Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2005-2009  
  • Medicine internship, Providence Portland Medical Center, 2004-2005  
  • Doctor of Medicine, Mayo Medical School, 2004  
  • Doctor of Philosophy in immunology, Mayo Graduate School, 2004  
  • Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and chemistry, University of Oregon, 1997
Professional Experience
  • Member, Integrated Therapies Laboratory, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, 2021-present  
  • Medical director, Translational Radiation Research, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, 2009-present  
  • Associate member, Integrated Therapies Laboratory, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, 2009-2021 
  • Radiation oncologist, The Oregon Clinic, Providence Cancer Institute, 2009-present  
  • American Board of Radiology Holman Research Pathway resident, laboratory of Dr. Hong-Ming Hu, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, 2006-2008  
  • M.D./Ph.D. student, laboratory of Dr. Richard Vile, Mayo Clinic Graduate School and immunology department, 1999-2002  
  • NIH Summer Internship Program fellow, laboratory of Dr. Raphael Schiffmann, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 1996  
Memberships
  • American Society for Clinical Oncology 
  • American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology  
  • Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer 
Awards
  • Michael Kelley Endowed Chair for Cancer Research, 2021  
  • Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Team Science Award, 2020 
  • Fellow, Kuni Foundation, 2011  
  • Radiological Society of North America Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award, Oregon Health & Science University, 2008  
  • American Board of Radiology Holman Research Pathway Fellowship, 2006-2008  
  • Bonner Scholar, Mayo Graduate School, 1997-2004  
  • American Chemical Society Certification, 1997  
  • American Institute of Chemistry Outstanding Senior Student, 1997  
  • Phi Beta Kappa, University of Oregon, 1997  
  • Presidential Scholar, University of Oregon, 1993-1997  
  • Howard Hughes Summer Fellowship Award, 1994  

Dr. Crittenden’s research is published in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals. She has partnered with colleagues on various research projects, including research funded by the National Institutes of Health.  

View Dr. Crittenden's full list of peer-reviewed publications.