Dr. Alexandra Müller: Pioneering Pediatric Oncology Care in Crisis
Dr. Alexandra Müller is a physician-scientist specializing in pediatric hematology and oncology, dedicated to ensuring children in fragile and conflict-affected regions receive vital cancer treatment. Currently a senior consultant and co-lead of the pediatric Hematology and oncology Outpatient Clinic at the University Children’s Hospital in Freiburg, a position she assumed in May 2024, Dr. Müller focuses on overcoming the meaningful barriers to care created by war,displacement,and disrupted healthcare systems.
Since May 2022, she has served as the medical director of SAFER Ukraine, a St. jude Children’s Research Hospital initiative providing emergency support to pediatric cancer patients impacted by the war. In this role, Dr. Müller spearheaded the creation of a standardized triage and evacuation system, including a triage hub in Poland, facilitating international referral and treatment for over 1,700 displaced children with cancer. this work has established a model for rapid, safe, and scalable oncology care during humanitarian crises.
Dr. Müller’s research is centered on improving outcomes for children with cancer in crisis settings. She leads the FOCUS Study, a multi-national longitudinal project tracking the long-term effects of conflict on pediatric oncology patients across ten countries, with the goal of developing crisis-adapted care models. She also leads the advancement of the SAFER Toolkit, a comprehensive framework for emergency cancer care that was utilized in the response to the crisis in Gaza in October 2023.
Recognizing her leadership in the field, Dr.Müller was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Institute of Cancer and Crisis (ICC) in 2024, where she contributes to global policy development, research initiatives, and capacity-building efforts in crisis oncology. She also actively participates in the World Health Institution’s Cancer in Crisis Network, advocating for the integration of cancer care into broader emergency response strategies.
Committed to expanding her expertise and driving enduring improvements, Dr. Müller is currently pursuing a Master of Global Child Health. Originally from Mönchengladbach, Germany, she remains steadfast in her dedication to global health equity, striving to ensure all children with cancer have access to safe, timely, and dignified care, nonetheless of their location or circumstances.
Dr. Müller also serves as a member of the Editorial Board of OncoDaily.
