Acclaimed Oncologist/Researcher Ravi Salgia Joins City of Hope as Chair of Medical Oncology

Ravi Salgia, MD, PhD

Medical oncologist and researcher Ravi Salgia, MD, PhD, has joined City of Hope as a 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, 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 brings a wealth of experience to City of Hope, both as an oncologist specializing in lung cancer, and as a researcher who is passionate about finding new and better treatments for patients,” said Alexandra Levine, MD, MACP, chief medical officer of City of Hope. “His expertise in developing new cancer treatments in the laboratory, testing them in clinical trials and speeding them to patients fits perfectly with City of Hope’s mission. We are very fortunate to be able to welcome Dr. Salgia — a kind and caring human being ­— who is a physician and researcher of the highest caliber.”

Salgia joins City of Hope from the University of Chicago Medical Center and Pritzker School of Medicine, where he was a 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.

During his 12 years with the University of Chicago, 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, affects cell growth, and may have potential use in treatment. Salgia is also utilizing various strategies to understand tumor heterogeneity, including the role of cell signaling pathways, mitochondria, immunology and mathematical modeling.

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, which occur in the lung and chest area. 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 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.”

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 has given lectures and organized or chaired seminal conferences throughout the world.

Salgia received his medical degree and PhD in biochemistry and biophysics from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He completed a fellowship in medical oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School, and remained there as a faculty member for a decade, then moving to the University of Chicago where he continued his clinical and research accomplishments.

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About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope’s main hospital is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with clinics throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics.