Medical oncologist and researcher Ravi Salgia, MD, PhD, has joined City of Hope as Professor and Chair in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research. He will play a key leadership role in the expansion of clinical programs at City of Hope’s Duarte campus and in its clinics throughout Southern California, as well as enhance the integration of state-of-the-art therapeutics with leading-edge research.
At City of Hope, Dr. Salgia will work closely with faculty to support both basic research and clinical studies aimed at discovering new cancer treatments. Beyond his role as the Arthur & Rosalie Kaplan Endowed Chair in Medical Oncology, he will also serve as Associate Director for Clinical Sciences in the institution’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. Salgia joins City of Hope from the University of Chicago Medical Center and Pritzker School of Medicine, where he was Professor of Medicine, Pathology, and Dermatology; Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program; Vice Chair of Medicine; and Associate Director of Translational Sciences for the Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Major Research
During his 12 years with the University of Chicago, Dr. Salgia identified several novel targets in oncology and led a strong clinical and research group. His laboratory conducted research on how the receptor tyrosine kinases, which are abundant in lung cancer cells, affect cell growth and may have potential use in treatment. Dr. Salgia is also utilizing various strategies to understand tumor heterogeneity, including the role of cell-signaling pathways, mitochondria, immunology, and mathematical modeling.
Dr. Salgia’s most recent work has focused on the development of biomarkers for early diagnosis, as well as prognosis and therapeutic monitoring of thoracic cancers. His goal is to develop novel therapeutics with minimal side effects.
“City of Hope embodies the commitment to discovering new treatments that enhance quality of life for cancer patients,” said Dr. Salgia, whose research has been funded by the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, among other organizations. “It is a privilege to join a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurse practitioners, scientists, and other health professionals who are dedicated to providing the highest quality cancer treatment and care.”
Dr. Salgia has published more than 200 journal articles, contributed to 34 books related to thoracic diseases, and served as an editor and associate editor for six journals.
He received his medical degree and PhD in biochemistry and biophysics from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at John Hopkins Hospital. ■
