Dr. Scott H. Kaufmann is a distinguished physician-scientist and internationally recognized authority in cancer pharmacology and therapeutic development. He currently serves as Chair of the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he also holds the prestigious Helen C. Levitt Professorship in Cancer Research. After completing his dual MD-PhD training, Dr. Kaufmann established his independent research career at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine from 1987 to 1994 before joining Mayo Clinic, where he has since built one of the nation's leading programs in cancer drug mechanism research. As both a practicing oncologist and translational scientist, he has maintained an active clinical practice while directing his renowned Anticancer Drug Action Laboratory, bridging patient care with fundamental scientific investigation throughout his distinguished career.
Dr. Kaufmann's seminal contributions have fundamentally advanced our understanding of how cancer cells respond to therapeutic interventions, particularly through his pioneering work on apoptosis mechanisms dating back to the mid-1980s. His laboratory's extensive investigations into the biochemical basis of cell death triggered by anticancer treatments have provided crucial insights that have informed the development of numerous therapeutic strategies, with over 62,000 citations reflecting the profound impact of his research. His team's work on drug resistance mechanisms in hematological malignancies and ovarian cancer has identified key biochemical pathways that influence treatment sensitivity, directly translating to improved clinical approaches for patients. Dr. Kaufmann has made significant contributions to the development and understanding of multiple therapeutic agents including topoisomerase I poisons, gemcitabine, platinum-based therapies, and checkpoint kinase inhibitors, with his work on the VX-970 project exemplifying his translational approach to novel cancer therapeutics.
Beyond his laboratory achievements, Dr. Kaufmann has shaped the broader cancer research landscape through leadership roles including service on the External Advisory Board for the Moffitt Cancer Center Myeloma SPORE since 2015 and membership on the Mayo Clinic Taskforce on Research Centers. He has mentored numerous physician-scientists and researchers who have gone on to establish independent programs across the country, significantly expanding the impact of his scientific philosophy that emphasizes using laboratory findings to directly guide clinical investigation. Currently, his research continues to focus on elucidating mechanisms of action for targeted anti-cancer agents while exploring novel approaches to overcome treatment resistance in ovarian cancer and acute leukemias. Dr. Kaufmann remains actively engaged in both clinical oncology practice and translational research, driving forward the next generation of precision cancer therapies through his integrative approach that continuously connects fundamental biological discoveries with patient-centered therapeutic innovation.
