Dr. Kenneth A. Krohn recently joined the Center for Radiochemistry Research at OHSU to help in the development of a translational radiochemistry program and facility in support of nuclear imaging. He received his PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California, Davis and completed two years of post-doctoral training under Prof. Michael Welch at Washington University.  He was recruited to UC Davis as Assistant Professor of Radiology when they opened the new medical school. He was served as the Associate Director for Life Sciences at Crocker Nuclear Lab. Dr. Krohn spent sabbatical time at Cross Canter Institute, University of Alberta and at Donner Lab, University of California, Berkeley working in the laboratory of Prof. Tom Budinger. He was recruited to University of Washington in 1981 to start a new research program in positron emission tomography (PET). He was a Professor in the Departments of Radiology and Radiation Oncology and Adjunct Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Krohn directed a program project in PET imaging of cancer and its response to therapy for nearly three decades and transitioned to Emeritus Professor at UW in 2015. 

The UW program was effective in developing and translating several F-18 radiopharmaceuticals to multicenter clinical trials, agents such as fluoromisonidazole, fluorothymidine, and fluoroestradiol. The program provided training for physician scientists who are now important participants in molecular imaging worldwide, individuals such as Michael Graham, Tony Shields, John M. Hoffman, Francis Ali-Osman, David Mankoff and Janet Eary. Dr. Krohn has also mentored several graduate students. Professor Krohn co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles regarding biomedical radiochemistry and imaging. He has reviewed for numerous federal and international granting agencies and is a patentee in field. Dr. Krohn is on the editorial boards of Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Cancer Research and reviews manuscripts for numerous professional journals. His professional awards include NDEA fellow, AAAS Fellow and the Paul C. Aebersold award. His biomedical research program has focused on the biology of hypoxia, methods for imaging hypoxia and the importance of hypoxia in response to therapy. At OHSU Dr. Krohn’s role is to mentor young physician scientists in molecular imaging.