Dr. Peter Laird is a globally recognized leader in epigenetics research with a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades of transformative scientific contributions. He currently serves as Professor in the Department of Epigenetics and holds the Peter and Emajean Cook Endowed Chair in Epigenetics at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After earning his B.S. and M.S. Cum Laude from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, he completed his Ph.D. in 1988 at the University of Amsterdam under the mentorship of Dr. Piet Borst. His postdoctoral training included research with Dr. Anton Berns at the Netherlands Cancer Institute and Dr. Rudolf Jaenisch at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. Dr. Laird established his independent research career at the University of Southern California from 1996 to 2014, where he served as Professor of Surgery, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and as Director of the USC Epigenome Center before joining Van Andel Institute in 2014.
Dr. Laird published the seminal demonstration of the causal role for DNA methylation in oncogenesis in Cell in 1995, a landmark finding that fundamentally transformed understanding of epigenetic contributions to cancer development. As Principal Investigator for all DNA methylation data production for The Cancer Genome Atlas, he led efforts that molecularly mapped epigenetic alterations across 33 different cancer types, providing unprecedented insights into cancer biology. His laboratory has developed several cutting-edge technologies for epigenetic analysis, including methods that have been patented and one that forms the basis for the first US FDA-approved blood-based DNA methylation assay for cancer detection. With extensive citation impact and recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher, his work on identifying crucial epigenetic alterations that convert healthy cells into cancer cells has established him as a global authority in cancer epigenomics. His research has directly contributed to the development of diagnostic tools and potential therapeutic approaches targeting epigenetic mechanisms in cancer.
Dr. Laird has been instrumental in shaping the field of epigenetics through leadership roles in major national and international consortia, including his position as Principal Investigator for the National Cancer Institute's Genome Data Analysis Network. Recognized with the American Association for Cancer Research Director's Award in 2020 and inclusion in Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers list in 2024, his work continues to influence both basic science and clinical applications in cancer research. He has mentored numerous scientists who have gone on to establish their own successful research programs, contributing to the growth of the next generation of epigenetics researchers. As a frequent collaborator on large-scale projects, he has contributed to hundreds of co-authored publications with research teams worldwide, demonstrating his commitment to collaborative science. Currently, his laboratory continues to investigate the origins of epigenetic mistakes in cancer, with the goal of identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets that could improve cancer detection and treatment outcomes.
