Eileen S. Carpenter, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology & Hepatology — University of Michigan | Clinician-Scientist, Pancreatic Disease
Overview
Dr. Eileen S. Carpenter is a gastroenterologist and clinician-scientist whose clinical focus is on benign and malignant diseases of the pancreas. She holds a joint appointment with the University of Michigan and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. (Michigan Medicine – Cancer Biology Profile)
Education & Training
- Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering — The Cooper Union
- MD/PhD (Medical Scientist Training Program) — SUNY Stony Brook University
- Internal Medicine Residency — University of Michigan (fast-track research pathway) (UM Faculty Profile)
- Gastroenterology Fellowship — University of Michigan (fast-track research pathway) (UM Faculty Profile)
Appointments & Clinical Roles
- Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Michigan (UM Faculty Profile)
- Clinical Provider, University of Michigan Health / Michigan Medicine (U-of-M Health Profile)
- Affiliated Clinician, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (dual appointment) (Michigan Medicine Bio)
- Gastroenterologist on the Pancreatic Cancer Clinic team, Rogel Cancer Center (Rogel “Meet the Team”)
Research Interests & Contributions
Dr. Carpenter’s lab develops pipelines using endoscopic fine needle biopsies (FNBs) of pancreatic tumors, applying cutting-edge techniques (single-cell RNA sequencing, mass cytometry, organoid culture) to study tumor heterogeneity, chemoresistance, and immunotherapy targets. (Michigan Medicine – Cancer Biology Profile)
- Longitudinal matched biopsy studies (pre- and post-chemotherapy) to identify resistance mechanisms
- Evaluating immune and stromal microenvironment changes over time
- Seeking novel immunotherapeutic targets in chemotherapy-refractory pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Selected Publications & Work
- “Wilm’s Tumor 1-Expressing Stromal Cells Promote Pancreatic Cancer Progression” — Bischoff AC et al., Cancer Res, 2025 (Carpenter included among authors) (UM Faculty Profile – Publications)
- “Primary and Metastatic Cellular Landscapes in Human Pancreatic Cancer” — Steele NG, Carpenter ES, et al., *iScience*, 2025 (UM Faculty Profile – Publications)
- Other recent works on spatial omics, tumor heterogeneity, and biopsy-based molecular profiling in PDAC (UM Faculty Profile)
Personal & Community Engagement
Outside of her research and clinical duties, Dr. Carpenter is a mother of three and enjoys playing the piano and volunteering in her local church community. She also serves on the board of her local Little League. (biographical details provided internally)
Timeline & Milestones
- Undergraduate: Cooper Union — Chemical Engineering
- MD/PhD: SUNY Stony Brook (Medical Scientist Training Program)
- Residency & Fellowship: University of Michigan (fast-track research pathway)
- Faculty Appointment: University of Michigan & VA Ann Arbor (current)
- Active contributor to pancreatic cancer research & clinical GI practice
Sources & Verifications
- Michigan Medicine — Cancer Biology departmental bio & research interests (link)
- University of Michigan Medical School Faculty Profile (link)
- Michigan Medicine Health / Clinical Provider Profile (link)
- Rogel Cancer Center “Meet the Team” for Pancreatic Cancer Clinic (link)
- Healthgrades – clinical focus & affiliations (link)