Dr. Stephanie Otto
Dr. biol. hum. Stephanie Otto (PhD)
Senior Scientist – Exercise Oncology & Cancer Rehabilitation
Ulm, Germany · ORCID: 0000-0002-1718-9925
Senior academic exercise scientist with over 30 years of clinical and translational experience in exercise oncology, cancer pre-/rehabilitation, and fascia research, including 8 years of post-doctoral research leadership. She has developed an independent research programme at the interface of precision exercise oncology and the neuro-immuno-fascial system, built and led the OnkoAktiv Ulm clinical exercise-oncology service program at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Ulm (2023–2026) from concept to routine oncological care, and holds scientific leadership of clinical exercise-oncology trials (BIJOU, PRIME-DC, CAPTURE) as Site-PI / Scientific Project Lead.
Leading Senior Researcher and Main Contact Person for Ulm University / CCCU within the 18-partner Horizon Europe consortium NUTRITOL (2025, total budget €5.0M). Active contributor to AWMF S3- and DKG guideline development, with a sustained record of peer-reviewed publication, international mobility (visiting professorship, Argentina), and doctoral/early-career mentoring.
She builds interdisciplinary networks connecting clinical oncology, sport science, and community exercise providers, and holds leadership roles on international scientific boards (Fascia Research Society, Society for Integrative Oncology) and national expert panels (German Cancer Society, NEBKO). Her research vision focuses on precision exercise oncology — bridging fascia/mechanobiology research, biomarker- and risk-adapted exercise prescription, and implementation across cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship, including Virtual Human Twin (VHT) modelling for individualized exercise prescription.
Selected roles: Head of OnkoAktiv Ulm, CCCU / University Hospital Ulm (2023–2026); Visiting Professor, Universidad Fundación H.A. Barceló, Buenos Aires (since 2024); Senior Scientist – Exercise Oncology, CCCU Ulm (2019–2026); Head of Sports Science (Rehabilitation) & Exercise Oncology, University Hospital Ulm (2015–2019); Research Associate & Head of Exercise Oncology, Cancer Center North, UKSH (2010–2013); Head of Team, Exercise Oncology & Integrative Therapies, Rehabilitation Clinic Scheidegg (1992–2009).