Mark A. Israel, MD
Mark A. Israel, MD, a pediatric oncologist, translational scientist, and a recognized leader in cancer research has been appointed National Executive Director of the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF), a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to funding cancer research in Israel. Dr. Israel joins ICRF from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, where he is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Molecular and Systems Biology.
From 2001 to 2016, Dr. Israel served as the Director of Dartmouth’s National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, where he was responsible for delivering comprehensive clinical care to more than 30,000 patients annually. For the last 12 years, Dr. Israel has been a volunteer member of the ICRF’s Scientific Review Panel and the chair of the panel that evaluates translational cancer research proposals.
World Class Cancer Research
“Cancer research has never been more exciting or promising – and that is particularly true in Israel,” Dr. Israel noted on accepting this position. “Israeli science knows no bounds. ICRF provides a singular opportunity to help build more recognition and support for the world-class cancer research of Israeli scientists, and to arm and empower its finest practitioners with the resources necessary to change the world.”
Rob Densen, President of ICRF International, said “Mark Israel is well equipped to communicate Israel’s critical role as a major source of innovation and discovery in the understanding and treatment of cancer. We are thrilled to have a clinician, researcher, and administrator of Mark’s caliber and clear commitment to the cause as our National Executive Director.”
Before joining Dartmouth, Dr. Israel was Professor in the Departments of Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF where he also directed the Preuss Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology. At UCSF, he held the Kathleen M. Plant Distinguished Professorship. Earlier in his career, Dr. Israel held several positions at the National Cancer Institute, including Head of the Molecular Genetics Section of the Pediatrics Branch. ■
