Hilary Kenny, PhD

Dr. Hilary Kenny is a research assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago. Dr. Kenny completed her undergraduate degree in biology at Washington College in Chestertown, MD and received a PhD from Northwestern University in reproductive physiology and endocrinology. It was there, working with Teresa K. Woodruff, PhD, that she developed a keen interest in women’s reproductive health. Dr. Kenny then joined the laboratory of Ernst Lengyel, MD, PhD to perform basic and translational research aimed at arriving at an understanding of the biology of ovarian cancer. During this time, she received an Illinois Department of Public Health Penny Severns Cancer Research Fellowship, a National Cancer Institute Cancer Biology Training Fellowship, and a National Cancer Institute K award to explore the role of the microenvironment during early ovarian cancer metastasis. Presently, her research interests are largely focused on elucidating the role of the tumor microenvironment during ovarian cancer progression, metastases and recurrence. Specifically, she investigates the role of mesothelial cells and extracellular matrices during these processes. In addition, she utilizes a quantitative 3-dimensional high throughput organotypic model of the tumor microenvironment to identify and validate drugs/compounds that prevent/inhibit ovarian cancer progression, metastasis and recurrence.