Theodorescu joins U of A Health Sciences as Cancer Center director
University of Arizona Health Sciences
Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to announce that Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, is joining the University of Arizona Health Sciences as the director of the U of A Cancer Center on March 1.
Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD
Photo courtesy of Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD
Dr. Theodorescu brings a wealth of experience in research, clinical care and surgery, biotech entrepreneurship and academic administration to the Cancer Center. He is currently the director of the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. We are very fortunate he will be joining us in Tucson soon as the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Director of the Cancer Center and a tenured professor of urology at the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson.
As an international leader in bladder cancer research, Dr. Theodorescu was the first to demonstrate that loss of the Y chromosome in cancer makes tumors more aggressive by allowing them to evade the immune system. His seminal use of computational biology led to the discovery of genes that drive bladder and other cancers, laying the foundations for personalized treatments through novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Most recently, he applied artificial intelligence on multi-omic data to develop the Molecular Twin Precision Oncology Platform, which shows promise in discovering novel targets for therapy and superior biomarkers of treatment response.
His innovative research led him to help co-found three biotech companies focused on fighting cancer using novel technologies, drugs, devices and software. I know he is excited to bring this entrepreneurial spirit to the Cancer Center, where his priorities include advancing the discovery of biomarkers and imaging technologies for early cancer detection, as well as translating scientific discoveries into pharmacologic and biologic therapeutics through drug discovery.
His forward-thinking strategy will drive transdisciplinary collaborations to accelerate progress, enhance precision medicine and develop clinical trials based on cancer center discoveries. I cannot wait to see the impact of his visionary leadership as he builds on the exemplary work already being done at the Cancer Center.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Theodorescu to the University of Arizona Health Sciences. You can read more about Dr. Theodorescu in the U of A Health Sciences press release.
I also would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Drs. Juanita Merchant, Clara Curiel and Rachna Shroff for their interim leadership of the Cancer Center during this important national search.
Michael D. Dake, MD
Senior Vice President for the University of Arizona Health Sciences