Jonathan Wesley Riess, MD, MS, has been appointed Medical Director to oversee UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Thoracic Oncology Program. Dr. Riess replaces David R. Gandara, MD, who will soon be co-directing a new center in experimental cancer therapeutics. Dr. Riess’ appointment is effective immediately.
“I am pleased to appoint Dr. Riess to lead what has become the largest and most comprehensive program of its kind in Northern California. His expertise in thoracic oncology will bring novel clinical trials to our patients that incorporate targeted therapy and immunotherapy and will enhance our world-class clinical care for people with thoracic malignancies,” said UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Primo “Lucky” Lara, Jr, MD.
The Thoracic Oncology Program provides a wide array of clinical and research services. They include prevention strategies as well as new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to cancers found in the lungs, thymus gland, and esophagus as well as other thoracic cancers such as mesothelioma. The program is nationally recognized for excellence in lung cancer treatment.
Jonathan Wesley Riess, MD, MS
Research Interests and Awards
“It is an honor to be named Medical Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program. We have a phenomenal multidisciplinary team of world-class clinicians and investigators providing superb clinical care and conducting groundbreaking research,” said Dr. Riess. “I’m committed to leveraging our existing advances in novel diagnostics, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy treatments to build upon the progress we have made in improving patients’ survival and quality of life. I will strive to continue the momentum gained under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Gandara.”
Dr. Riess’ research interests encompass novel diagnostics, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy in lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. He is the past recipient of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award and the Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and Van Auken Foundation Young Innovators Team Award, a former Paul Calabresi K12 Scholar, and was a receipient of an NCI R01 grant for an NCI-sponsored clinical trial.
