Dr. Arul Chinnaiyan stands as a preeminent molecular pathologist and physician scientist revolutionizing the field of cancer research through groundbreaking translational discoveries. He currently serves as the S.P. Hicks Endowed Professor of Pathology and Professor of Urology at the University of Michigan Medical School, where he completed his undergraduate, M.D.-Ph.D. training and clinical pathology residency. As an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute since 2008, he has established himself as a leading authority in precision oncology while directing the Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, one of the nation's most advanced cancer genomics research centers. His distinguished career reflects a seamless integration of clinical pathology expertise with innovative molecular research approaches that have transformed cancer diagnostics and treatment paradigms.
Dr. Chinnaiyan's landmark 2005 discovery of TMPRSS2-ETS gene fusions in prostate cancer represented the first identification of causative gene fusions in a common solid tumor, fundamentally reshaping the molecular understanding of prostate cancer biology. This seminal breakthrough, achieved through innovative bioinformatics analysis of the ONCOMINE database developed by his team, revealed the single most common genetic abnormality in prostate cancer and has since become the subject of intensive global investigation. In 2011, his laboratory established MI-ONCOSEQ, the pioneering integrative clinical sequencing approach for advanced cancer patients that served as the paradigm for modern precision oncology programs worldwide. Through these transformative efforts, his research has characterized numerous critical cancer targets and biomarkers including EZH2, AMACR, FGFR/RAF kinase fusions, ESR1, CDK12, and FOXA1, significantly advancing diagnostic capabilities and therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.
Dr. Chinnaiyan's leadership extends beyond his laboratory through his development of widely adopted bioinformatics resources like ONCOMINE, which has accelerated cancer research across the global academic community and is freely available to researchers worldwide. His profound impact on the field is recognized through prestigious honors including election to the National Academy of Sciences (2020), the 2022 Sjöberg Prize for cancer research from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and induction into the AACR Academy (2020). As principal investigator of the multi-institutional Stand Up to Cancer Dream Team project focused on Precision Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer, he continues to foster collaborative research across institutions to translate genomic discoveries into clinical applications. Currently directing significant research initiatives including the Michigan-VUMC Biomarker Characterization Center, Dr. Chinnaiyan remains committed to developing innovative therapeutic approaches for difficult-to-treat cancers while training the next generation of physician-scientists in translational oncology.
