Dr. Ronald DePinho is a distinguished cancer biologist and former president of one of the world's leading cancer research institutions. He currently holds the Harry Graves Burkhart III Distinguished University Chair in Cancer Biology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center where he continues to lead innovative research programs. After earning his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1981 and becoming board certified in Internal Medicine in 1984, he dedicated his career to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of cancer and aging. His leadership journey culminated in his appointment as the fourth president of MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2011 to 2017, during which he dramatically enhanced basic research programs and expanded the institution's global network to 34 institutions across 24 countries.
Dr. DePinho's laboratory pioneered the concept of tumor maintenance, revealing that cancer-initiating oncogenes often remain active throughout tumor development, a discovery that fundamentally reshaped therapeutic approaches. His team discovered a core molecular pathway governing aging and provided the first evidence that aging is a reversible biological process, challenging long-held scientific dogma. Through sophisticated genetically engineered mouse models, his research elucidated the critical role of telomeres in cancer genome alterations, epithelial carcinogenesis, and degenerative disorders, establishing telomere dysfunction as a key driver of multiple disease processes. With over 400 peer-reviewed publications and an impressive h-index of 171, his work has catalyzed numerous clinical applications and therapeutic strategies targeting age-related diseases and cancer.
Beyond his direct research contributions, Dr. DePinho founded the Institute for Applied Cancer Science at MD Anderson to accelerate the development of next-generation targeted cancer therapies and launched the transformative Cancer Moon Shots Program, which later became the model for the national Cancer Moonshot initiative. His leadership extends to co-founding multiple biotechnology companies including AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Metamark Genetics, and Karyopharm Therapeutics, translating basic discoveries into clinical applications. As a member of three prestigious national academies—the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Medicine, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences—his influence continues to shape cancer research priorities globally. Currently, his laboratory at MD Anderson focuses on developing therapeutic strategies targeting the molecular pathways of aging and age-related disorders, with the goal of attenuating the incidence of diseases such as cancer, cardiomyopathy, and neurodegeneration through innovative intervention approaches.
