VISION STATEMENT
The American Association for Cancer Research’s guiding principle, “Finding Cures Together,” beautifully encapsulates the organization’s mission, vision, and impact. This powerful phrase—visible on every AACR email, webpage, and letterhead—reflects our shared commitment to advancing cancer research through collaboration among scientists, clinicians, patients, and families. As cancer threatens to become the most common cause of death globally, reversing this trend is both our challenge and our responsibility as AACR members.
For over a century, AACR has served as a convener of collaborative research, a disseminator of cutting-edge science, and a catalyst for progress in the fight against cancer. Our members have been instrumental in driving advances that have led to measurable reductions in cancer mortality—whether through prevention, early detection, or treatment of advanced disease. In the past 30 years, AACR has been at the forefront of breakthroughs in lifestyle modification, precision medicine, early diagnosis, and immunotherapy, demonstrating the power of science to transform lives.
Yet, our work is far from finished. The pace of progress is threatened by increasing challenges to academic research funding and public trust in science. My vision for AACR is to build upon our transformative discoveries to achieve meaningful reductions in cancer incidence and mortality. This will require continued innovation in prevention, detection, and treatment—but also a renewed focus on communication and outreach. We must amplify the voice of biomedical research, foster trust in science and medicine, and engage communities nationwide in dialogue about our mission and impact.
AACR has already demonstrated its unwavering support for the cancer research community through exceptional advocacy efforts. We must continue to expand public engagement and trust, ensuring that our accomplishments and goals resonate with those who need them most. At the same time, we must diversify and strengthen funding sources. AACR can leverage its collective influence to: increase fundraising for bridge and early investigator grants; expand partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech industries; and advocate across the political spectrum for sustained research support.
As a powerful convener, AACR must also continue to unite the cancer science and medicine communities. Research thrives in a dynamic, bidirectional exchange—clinicians learning from scientists and vice versa. Strengthening these connections will enhance both impact and efficiency.
Finally, while AACR is the American Association for Cancer Research, our mission is global. We must deepen international collaboration and continue efforts to support cancer care, research, and education in under-resourced regions. These commitments reflect our shared belief that progress against cancer should benefit all people, everywhere. I am honored by the opportunity to help lead AACR into its next chapter—one defined by bold vision, inclusive collaboration, and unwavering dedication to “Finding Cures Together.”
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Medical oncology; translational research; melanoma; immune modulation; cell therapy; democratizing access to cutting-edge care; comparative oncology; clinical trial design.
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Meyer Director of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, New York; chief, cancer services, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York; professor, medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York; attending physician, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital; professor, medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York; associate attending physician, The Rockefeller University Hospital, New York, New York; associate professor, medicine, immunology and microbial pathogenesis program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, New York; member, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., New York, New York.
PREVIOUS POSITIONS
Service chief, immuno-oncology service, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, New York, New York (2019-2022); service chief, Melanoma and Immunotherapeutics Service, New York, New York (2014-2019); joint appointee, SKI, immunology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, New York; associate member (2008-2014), assistant member (2004-2008), and clinical assistant (2000-2004), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; assistant professor (2004-2008) and instructor, medicine (2000-2004), Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York; associate physician (2010-2013), The Rockefeller University Hospital, New York, New York; associate attending physician (2008-2014) and clinical assistant physician (2000-2004), Department of Medicine, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Melanoma Service, Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases, New York, New York.
EDUCATION
MD, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York (1994); PhD (1993) and MS (1991), New York University (Graduate School of Arts and Science), New York, New York; BA, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey (1987).
POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING
Chief fellow (1997-1998) and fellow (1996-2000), medical oncology-hematology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; resident (1995-1996) and intern (1994-1995), internal medicine, New York University Medical Center—Bellevue Hospital, New York, New York.
SELECTED AACR SERVICE, HONORS, AND AWARDS
Member, Annual Meeting Clinical Trials Committee (2025); member, Science Policy and Government Affairs Committee (2025); member, Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants Scientific Review Committee (2025-2028); member and cochair of Cancer Science and Medicine Subcommittee, Vision 2030 Strategic Planning Committee (2025-present); member, AACR Special Conferences Committee (2024-2025); Fellow, AACR Academy (2023); member, AACR Board of Directors (2023-2026); chair, AACR Immuno-oncology Research Grants Scientific Review Committee (2022-2023); recipient, AACR-Joseph H. Burchenal Award (2020); cochair, 2019 Special Conference on Melanoma (2018); chair, Cancer Immunology Working Group Nominating Committee (2017-2018); cochair, Annual Meeting Scientific Program Committee (2017-2018); chair, Joint Chemistry in Cancer Research-Cancer Immunology Scientific Session Working Group (2017-2018); faculty member, Educational Workshop, “Translational Cancer Research for Basic Scientists” (2017); keynote speaker, Eighth Annual Meeting of the Israel Society for Cancer Research (sponsored by AACR): Breakthroughs in Cancer Research: The Future Is Now, “Immunologic Checkpoint Blockade: Exploring Combinations and Mechanisms,” Rehovot, Israel (2016); deputy editor, Clinical Cancer Research (2016-present); scientific editor, Cancer Immunology Research (2016-present); member, Pezcoller Foundation-AACR International Award for Cancer Research Selection Committee (2015-2016); recipient, AACR-Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Memorial Award (2014); recipient, AACR-Aventis Scholar-in-Training Award (2000).
SELECTED NON-AACR SERVICE, HONORS, AND AWARDS
Recipient, Ludwig Distinguished Clinical Scholar (2025); board member, Vilcek Foundation (2024-2025); member, NCI Immune Health Think Tank (2024); fellow, Academy of Immuno-Oncology (2024); elected member, National Academy of Medicine (2023-present); board member, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (2022-present); recipient, David Karnofsky Memorial Award (2022); treasurer, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (2020-present); recipient, ESMO Award for Immuno-Oncology (2020); recipient, Huntsman Cancer Institute Susan Cooper Jones Lectureship (2019); recipient, 2019 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award (2019); fellow, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2018); recipient, Society of Surgical Oncology James Ewing Lecture (2017); recipient, A. Alfred Taubman Prize for Excellence in Translational Medical Research (2016); recipient, NYU Alumni Achievement Award in Clinical and Translational Science (2016); board member, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2015-2019); member, NCI Advisory Committee (2015); elected member, American Association of Physicians (2015); recipient, Dr. Melvin L. and Dr. Sylvia F. Griem Lectureship and Award (2015); recipient, Giants of Cancer Care in Melanoma Award (2014); recipient, Lloyd J. Old Chair for Clinical Investigation Endowed Chair (2013); board member, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (2012-2015); recipient, Doctor of the Year, Melanoma International Foundation (2012); recipient, NYU School of Medicine—Julia Zelmanovich Young Alumni Award (2004); recipient, Damon Runyon-Lilly Clinical Investigator Award (2003); recipient, American Society of Clinical Oncology Merit Award (2000).