Heather Ann Brauer, PhD

Dynamic and results-oriented program leader with over 15 years of experience in transforming ambitious research visions into actionable programs that foster scientific discovery and enhance health outcomes. Proven success in spearheading complex, multi-institutional initiatives across academia, industry, startups, and research consortia while cultivating partnerships and governance structures that facilitate large-scale collaboration. Proficient in leveraging biological data, emerging technologies, and AI-driven methodologies to accelerate discovery and improve translational results. Expertise in aligning cross-functional teams, managing intricate portfolios, and developing operational systems that empower groundbreaking scientific initiatives to achieve tangible impact.

• Co-Founder & former Chair, Girls’ Ultimate Movement
• Board Member, Ultimate Peace
• Foster and adoptive parent advocate

SIGNAL (Scalable Intelligence Generated from Accessible Lab Data) | Gates Foundation
Architecting an AI/ML-driven initiative that captures and analyzes raw instrument data from routine laboratory tests (CBCs, chemistry panels, newborn screening platforms) to identify early physiological signals of disease risk. Built partnerships with instrument manufacturers, global data companies, academic groups, and clinical networks while establishing governance and operational infrastructure for large-scale clinical data access.

HIV Reservoirs Consortium | Gates Foundation
Directed a global research consortium spanning 30+ laboratories and 60+ assays, integrating multi-omic and spatial biology approaches to identify circulating nonviral biomarkers predictive of HIV rebound. Established milestone frameworks, cross-platform data integration, and collaborative governance to accelerate discovery across a six-year international program. Led stakeholder development of a Target Product Profile to define clinical performance criteria and guide translation of biomarker signatures into HIV curative intervention trials.

Translational Research Program | NanoString Technologies
Designed and led a cross-functional translational research program integrating R&D, clinical, regulatory, and commercial teams to advance novel signature applications in clinical research. Later expanded the program to support the launch of the GeoMx Spatial Biology platform, enabling new discovery and clinical research applications. Built academic and industry partnerships that expanded the use of spatially resolved molecular technologies across translational and clinical research programs.

2023

• Chumsri S, Carter JM, Ma Y, Brauer HA, et al. Characteristics associated with spatially resolved immune landscapes in triple-negative breast cancer in the FinXX trial and Mayo Clinic cohort. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2023.

2021

• Brauer HA, Crotty R, Hu K, Stevenson K, et al. Simultaneous identification of cell of origin, translocations, and hotspot mutations in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using a single RNA-sequencing assay. American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 2021;155(5):748-754.

2020

• Swain SM, Tang G, Brauer HA, et al. NSABP B-41, a randomized neoadjuvant trial: genes and signatures associated with pathologic complete response. Clinical Cancer Research. 2020;26(16):4233-4241.
• Schroth W, Büttner FA, Kandabarau S, et al. Gene expression signatures of BRCAness and tumor inflammation define subgroups of early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients. Clinical Cancer Research. 2020;26(24):6523-6534.
• Asleh K, Brauer HA, Sullivan A, et al. Predictive biomarkers for adjuvant capecitabine benefit in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer in the FinXX clinical trial. Clinical Cancer Research. 2020;26(11):2603-2614.

2019

• Waks AG, Stover DG, Guerriero JL, et al. The immune microenvironment in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer before and after preoperative chemotherapy. Clinical Cancer Research. 2019;25(15):4644-4655.
• Lee JS, Yost SE, Blanchard S, et al. Phase I clinical trial of the combination of eribulin and everolimus in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research. 2019;21(1):119.

2014

• Brauer HA, D’Arcy M, Libby TE, Thompson HJ, Yasui YY, Hamajima N, Li CI, Troester MA, Lampe PD. Dermcidin expression is associated with disease progression and survival among breast cancer patients. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.

2013

• Casbas-Hernandez P, D’Arcy M, Roman-Perez E, Brauer HA, McNaughton K, Chhetri RK, Oldenburg AL, Amos KD, Troester MA. Role of HGF in epithelial-stromal cell interactions during progression from benign breast disease to ductal carcinoma in situ. Breast Cancer Research.

2012

• Brauer HA, Makowski L, Hoadley KA, Casbas-Hernandez P, Lang LJ, Roman-Perez E, D’Arcy M, Freemerman AJ, Perou CM, Troester MA. Impact of stromal and epithelial phenotypes on metabolism in breast cancer. Clinical Cancer Research.
• Sampey BP, Freemerman AJ, Kuan PF, Vanhoose AM, O’Connell TM, Ilkayeva O, Muehlbauer MJ, Stevens RD, Newgard CB, Brauer HA, Troester MT, Makowski L. Metabolic profiling reveals mitochondrial-derived lipid biomarkers associated with obesity-driven inflammation. PLoS ONE.

2011

• Brauer HA, Libby TE, Mitchell BL, Li L, Chen C, Randolph TW, Yasui YY, Lampe JW, Lampe PD. Cruciferous vegetable supplementation alters the plasma peptidome in a GSTM1 genotype-dependent manner. Nutrition Journal.

2010

• Brauer HA, Lampe PD, Yasui YY, Hamajima N, Stolowitz ML. Biochips that sequentially capture and focus antigens for immunoaffinity MALDI-TOF MS: a tool for biomarker verification. Proteomics.

2004

• Lim MY, Wang H, Kapoun AM, O’Connell M, O’Young G, Brauer HA, Luedtke GR, Chakravarty S, Dugar S, Schreiner GS, Protter AA, Higgins LS. p38 inhibition attenuates the pro-inflammatory response to C-reactive protein by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology.