Jen Poynter, MPH, PhD

Jenny N. Poynter, PhD, is a Professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research in the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Poynter is a molecular epidemiologist who leads a research team focused on pediatric and adolescent germ cell tumors (GCT) and myeloid malignancy. The major goals of her GCT research are to understand genetic susceptibility, epigenetic alterations and late effects of treatment, including hearing loss and neuropathy. She is also working on studies to understand how lifestyle and genetic factors influence risk of developing pediatric and adult myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Finally, she is one of the leaders of the 10,000 Families Study, a newly funded cohort study to evaluate the association between environmental exposures and hematologic malignancy in Minnesota. Dr. Poynter is the Co-Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center. Her work is funded by the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.