Fen Xia

Federal Grant PI High Impact

Department Chairperson

UAMS

Also affiliated: University of Maryland, Baltimore (1997); Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (1998); Harvard University (1993–2004); The University of Queensland (2011); University of Alabama (2011); Vanderbilt University (2006–2012); Washington University in St. Louis (2011); University of Arkansas Medical Center (2017–2026); The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (2012–2013); Huntsman Cancer Institute (2011); The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (2012–2015); University of Alabama at Birmingham (2011–2012); Massachusetts General Hospital (1999–2004); Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (2001); UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (2018); University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2018); Quinnipiac University (2018); UAB Medicine (2011–2012); Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (2006–2010); Rutgers Cancer Institute (2011); The Ohio State University (2012–2016); The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (2022); University of Pennsylvania (2018); Vanderbilt University Medical Center (2006–2012)

Department Chairs, College of Medicine

37 h-index 135 pubs 5,466 cited

Research Areas

Biomedical Subjects

Links

ORCID Lab Website Research Group UAMS TRI Profile

OverviewAI-generated summary

Fen Xia's research program focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying DNA damage response and repair, particularly in the context of cancer and cellular integrity. Investigations have examined the role of specific proteins and pathways in maintaining genomic stability, including the function of Chk2 phosphorylation of BRCA1 in DNA double-strand break repair and the essential role of Hdac3 in chromatin structure and genome stability. Xia has also studied the impact of altered p53 status on sensitivity to radiation-induced mutation and apoptosis.

Funding from the NIH/National Cancer Institute supports two of Xia's projects as Principal Investigator. One grant, totaling $326,880, explores the novel role of Sirtuin 2 in regulating transcription-associated DNA damage repair. The second grant, for $628,980, investigates the GSK3β-53BP1 axis in immune control of solid tumor progression. These projects highlight a focus on cancer-related molecular mechanisms and host-pathogen interactions.

Xia has a substantial publication record, with 176 total publications and over 6,400 citations, contributing to a high-impact researcher designation. Key collaborators at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences include Forouh Kalantari, Mumtaz Patel, Gary D. Lewis, and Caleb Nissen, with whom Xia has co-authored multiple publications. Xia also serves as Department Chairperson in the College of Medicine.

Metrics

h-index: 37
Publications: 135
Citations: 5,466

Positions

Department Chairperson publications 2017–2026

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Department Chairs, College of Medicine Institutional directory
Department Chair publications 2017–2026

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Radiation Oncology ORCID

Selected Publications

SIRT2 mitigates radiation-induced oral mucositis by promoting homologous recombination-mediated DNA double-strand break repair in epithelial stem cells (2026)

Cancer Letters DOI OpenAlex
GSK3B directs DNA repair choice and determines tumor response to PARP1 inhibition independent of BRCA1 (2025)

Journal of Clinical Investigation 2 citations DOI OpenAlex
236 Manipulating the DNA damage response to combat T cell exhaustion and improve immunotherapy response (2025)

Regular and Young Investigator Award Abstracts DOI OpenAlex
Grid Spatially Fractionated Radiation Therapy for Bulky Tumors: A Large Single Institution Experience (2025)

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics 5 citations DOI OpenAlex
Producing high quality cranial SRS plans with 4Pi planning technique in a commercial clinical solution (2025)

Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics DOI OpenAlex
Sirt2 Mitigates Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis by Promoting Homologous Recombination-Mediated DNA Double-Strand Break Repair in Epithelial Stem Cells (2025)

SSRN Electronic Journal 1 citation DOI OpenAlex
376 Inhibition of GSK3β-mediated 53BP1 T334 phosphorylation in T cells enhances infiltration and cytotoxicity against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (2024)

Regular and Young Investigator Award Abstracts DOI OpenAlex
Spatially Fractionated Radiotherapy GRID for Bulky Tumor: A Large Single Institution Experience (2024)

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics 2 citations DOI OpenAlex
Abstract PR011: Novel role of glycogen synthase kinase-3β in determining cancer cell response to PARPi through regulation of 53BP1 function (2024)

Cancer Research DOI OpenAlex
A Prospective Study Measuring Resident and Faculty Contour Concordance: A Potential Tool for Quantitative Assessment of Residents’ Performance in Contouring and Target Delineation in Radiation Oncology Residency (2023)

Journal of the American College of Radiology 6 citations DOI OpenAlex

View all publications on OpenAlex →

Federal Grants 2 $955,860 total

NIH Contact PI May 2026 - Apr 2031

Exploring host GSK3β-53BP1 axis in immune control of solid tumor progression

National Cancer Institute $628,980 R01

NIH Contact PI Apr 2020 - Sep 2026

The novel role of Sirtuin 2 in regulation of transcription-associated DNA damage repair

National Cancer Institute $326,880 R01

Grants & Funding

As listed on this researcher's institutional profile. Federal awards with verified records are shown above.

A Prospective Trial of Stereotactic Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Borderline Resectable/Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: An Individualized Approach to Minimizing Gastrointestinal Toxicity (ARTIA-Pancreas) Varian Medical Systems Principal Investigator
Novel functions of Pyruvate kinase M2 in DNA double-strand break repair NIH/NCI Principal Investigator
GSK3b mediates radiation-induced cytotoxicity in hippocampal neurons NIH Principal Investigator
Center for Musculoskeletal Disease Research (CMDR) NIH/Nat. Inst. of General Medical Sciences Co-Investigator
Center for Molecular Interactions in Cancer (CMIC) NIH Co-Investigator
Novel functions of Pyruvate kinase M2 in DNA double-strand break repair NIH Principal Investigator
The role of BRCA1 in nonhomologous repair of chromosomal double-strand breaks NIH Principal Investigator
A Phase 3 Randomized Controlled Trial of Post-Surgical Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT)versus Surgically Targeted Radiation Therapy (STaRT) with Gamma Tile for Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Brain Tumors. GT Medical Technologies, Inc. Principal Investigator