Lauren E. Colbert, MD, MSc

I am a radiation oncologist and physician-scientist who cares for women with gynecologic cancers, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, uterine/endometrial, ovarian and female urethral cancers. I know that facing cancer can be overwhelming, which is why I prioritize honest, transparent communication at every step. I strive to make the road ahead clearer, more predictable and less frightening. I also believe that understanding the whole person — not just the disease or diagnosis — is essential to providing true hope and healing. I love getting to know my patients and their families on a personal level. Bridging clinical care and discovery is central to my approach. I lead translational research within the Department of Radiation Oncology and the Duke Cancer Institute, where I direct my own laboratory dedicated to bringing breakthrough science from the laboratory to the bedside. My patients are at the heart of everything we do, and their journeys directly drive the questions we investigate in the lab. We are pioneering research into cutting-edge predictive biomarkers to tailor and personalize radiation therapy, while uncovering how the microbiome shapes cancer development, immune response and treatment resistance across diverse malignancies.