Grantee: Kevin R. Krull

Kevin R. Krull, PhD

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Current Title
Full Member/Professor
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Describe your scientific identity.
I am a neuroscientist who conducts research aimed at understanding the impact of cancer and cancer therapy on brain integrity and functional outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer. I employ neuropsychological testing, brain imaging, serum and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and genomic data in study designs.

What are your research interests?
My research interest centers on understanding and modifying brain development and function in cancer survivors. This interest includes understanding the direct effects of the cancer and cancer therapy, as well as the mediating effects of cardiopulmonary or endocrine morbidity, and the impacts of sleep disruption and systemic inflammation.

What is the significance of your current research project?
One of my current projects is examining the prevalence and etiology of obstructive sleep apnea in long-term survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma. These survivors are at risk for cardiac and cerebrovascular complications due to their prior cancer therapy. Obstructive sleep apnea could significantly increase these risks and contribute to catastrophic consequences.

What motivated you to work in biobehavioral or psychological science research?
I have always been interested in understanding normal and abnormal human brain function. The biobehavioral and psychological sciences provided an opportunity to better understand this complex organ beyond the basic science level of cellular function.

Describe something that had a profound influence on your program of research or scientific interests (an "ah-ha!" moment).
A recent "ah-ha" moment came while studying the associations between sleep quality and cognitive function in adult survivors of childhood cancer. The effect size of poor quality on cognitive problems was comparable to that of high doses of cranial radiation. This led to the realization that there may be many other treatable health conditions in long-term survivors that could be a target to improve functional outcomes.

Selected training, awards, and honors:
I completed a joint Ph.D. program in clinical psychology and neuroscience, followed by a clinical psychology internship, a clinical neuropsychology residency, and a biological psychology postdoctoral fellowship. I believe this joint training in clinical and biobehavioral sciences has made me well prepared to study complex human neuroscience outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer.