Chi Van Dang Appointed Director of Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Chi Van Dang, MD, PhD

Chi Van Dang, MD, PhD

Chi Van Dang, MD, PhD, has been appointed scientific director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.

Dang, a hematological oncologist, is currently director of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center and the John H. Glick Professor of Medicine. In his new role, effective July 1, Dang will oversee the execution of Ludwig’s scientific strategy to advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, according to a news release from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

Dang’s role will have a special focus on the operations and staffing of the Lausanne, Oxford, and San Diego branches of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. He will also align those efforts with those of the 6 independent Ludwig centers across the country to further cultivate collaboration within Ludwig’s global research community, according to the release.

Dang’s research in the field of hematology has focused on the molecular signaling pathways and mechanisms that govern the metabolism of cancer cells. His laboratory established the first mechanistic link between the MYC cancer gene and cellular energy metabolism.

Prior to joining the Abramson Cancer Center in 2011, Dang was the Johns Hopkins Family Professor in Oncology Research and vice dean for research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He directed the Hopkins Institute for Cell Engineering and was a professor of medicine, pathology, and oncology and cell biology with joint appointments in molecular biology and genetics.

“We are very pleased to have Dr. Dang on board and have every confidence that his scientific insight and experience leading some of the best research institutions in the world will be of great benefit to Ludwig,” said John L. Notter, chair of the Board of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.

Dang has been a member of AACR since 1996 and serves on the editorial board of its journalCancer Research.

Dang earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Michigan, a PhD in chemistry from Georgetown University, and a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University. He completed a fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.

“On behalf of the American Association for Cancer Research, I wish to extend our sincere and heartfelt congratulations to Chi Van Dang on his appointment as scientific director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR. “Dr. Dang is an accomplished physician-scientist and highly respected leader who has made significant contributions to the field of cancer research. His vision, broad scientific expertise, and experience will be invaluable to the mission of the Ludwig Institute and to Ludwig’s network of distinguished scientists who are working together to accelerate the pace of progress against cancer.”