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Featured Researcher: Katherine E Miller, PhD

Featured Researcher: Katherine E Miller, PhD 150 150 Gina Vitale, PTA

The battle against pediatric cancer is being waged within research facilities globally. In December 2025, five institutions, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital, were awarded a combined total of $5 million in grants from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to support various research studies. Katherine (Katie) Miller, PhD, is an associate professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, a principal investigator in the Institute for Genomic Medicine at Nationwide Children’s, and Director of the Genomic Services Laboratory. She has been at Nationwide Children’s since 2009 in a range of research roles, including leading liquid biopsy efforts, a project that will be amplified by the Ohio grant award.

Dr. Miller is part of a leadership team driving this exciting and potentially groundbreaking project involving blood-based liquid biopsy. Her overall research focuses on pediatric cancer genomics, with a primary emphasis on developing liquid biopsy tests to improve childhood tumor detection and monitoring, as well as using genomic approaches to better understand tumor biology.

Imagine if cancer could be detected early on, before typical symptoms arise, by simply ordering a blood test. Read on to learn more about her professional history and research initiatives, along with some personal highlights.

Read on to learn more about Dr. Miller’s work and research career.

How did you land in your field?

I began college as a nursing student. I wanted to help people, and my mom was a nurse. However, I realized I liked the science aspect more than being in the clinic, and I knew I could help others in that way, so I switched to a biology major. Fast forward, I obtained my PhD in molecular biology in 2016. I then ventured into genomics by chance. I completed my PhD at Ohio State within a Nationwide Children’s Hospital lab and remained at Nationwide Children’s in a transitional position, as I wasn’t willing to relocate since my husband was still finishing his PhD. That same year, Elaine R. Mardis, PhD, an internationally recognized cancer genomic expert, joined Nationwide Children’s for the inception of the Institute for Genomic Medicine, and she became my mentor. I was inspired by her, to be honest. I had no previous experience with this level of genomics, so specializing in that niche happened through a set of circumstances, luck, hard work and great mentorship. I’ve ended up in what I think is the best place to be for genomics, which feels both satisfying and serendipitous.

What is your favorite part of your job? 

I love mentorship, both on a scientific and professional level. I have a lot of mentees, and I love seeing people excited about what we’re doing. I’ve learned so much through my amazing mentors, and I’ve learned that being a mentor isn’t just about the science, but about learning how to be a professional working with people and collaborating.

However, the part I love the most, and why I’ve always been involved in human research compared to any other field, is feeling like I’m making a difference. We conduct quite rare and broad research, and we’re working with real patient samples, so I feel such a tangible connection to our patients, even though it’s through this level of science. It is gratifying that the work we’re doing may actually impact patients, even if it’s ten years down the road.

How does your research serve our patients and our community? 

It’s important research, using all human samples, which can directly and positively affect the patients in the community. Knowing you’re serving the community, even if it’s a small snippet involving sick kids, you understand that to those families, it’s significant. Our research impacts children’s health, and that feels meaningful.

Fun Facts About Dr. Miller

What’s your favorite word, and why? 

Perseverance. There are many times when the research doesn’t work, or we must redo things, and months of work go down the drain. It’s motivating for me, though. I have to persevere, push through, keep moving forward, knowing our research can make a difference. You just have to keep going, both professionally and personally.

What would be your dream job if you could do anything (that wasn’t working in research)? 

I would love to be a high school math teacher. I used to tutor high school students, and I really liked working with that age group and helping them with a subject I have always enjoyed.

What’s your favorite food? 

Sushi.

Favorite band/genre/artist? 

My favorite artist is David Gray. He’s a British singer-songwriter.

Favorite way to relax?

Go to the beach. However, if you asked me about my favorite thing to do outside of work, I’d say watch Ohio State football.

What’s next? What do you hope to accomplish in your research and professional development going forward? 

We recently received this large grant from the state of Ohio to further research involving blood-based liquid biopsy; therefore, my role is pivoting to focus largely on that study. The leadership team for this project includes Samara Potter, MD, MBA, Anthony Miller, PhD, Corinne Strawser, PhD, and me.

This research will focus on people who are at high risk of cancer – some people are born with syndromes that put them at risk of cancer or are survivors of cancer and are at risk of it returning. The whole idea of liquid biopsy is earlier detection of cancer without relying on frequent MRI/CT scans or invasive procedures like biopsies. High-risk children typically get screened once per year, which may include whole-body MRIs and blood drawings. This Ohio grant allows us to expand our research by analyzing more samples and generating essential data to understand if/how this liquid biopsy test could someday be used in clinical care. It’s cutting-edge genomic technology, and our goal is to develop a more accurate, sensitive test to detect cancer that is less demanding for the patient.

About the author

Gina is a licensed physical therapist assistant with 30 years of direct patient care experience treating all ages in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine rehabilitation, and post-acute home health care settings. Having a background as a competitive gymnast, and the injuries that accompany sport spurred her into a career in physical therapy and rehabilitation. She is also a certified mat Pilates instructor.

Gina began health content writing in 2021 focusing on informational writing such as blogs, web pages and articles for health care, health and wellness businesses and publications. She believes educating everyone about evidence-based health and wellness is essential to improving health awareness and quality of life.

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