City of Hope’s Loretta Erhunmwunsee, M.D., named Cancer Moonshot Scholar by Biden Cancer Moonshot

Loretta Erhunmwunsee, MD

City of Hope®, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, ranked among the nation’s top 5 cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report, announced today that Loretta Erhunmwunsee, MD, City of Hope thoracic surgeon, has been named a Cancer Moonshot Scholar by the Biden Cancer Moonshot for her research linking social and environmental factors to the development of lung cancer in African Americans.

“I am extremely honored to be part of President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Scholars program which will help further critical research on lung cancer in African Americans,” said Dr. Erhunmwunsee, an associate professor in City of Hope's Division of Thoracic Surgery. “City of Hope’s research seeks to integrate advanced tumor analysis with state-of-the-art geographical analysis to understand how structural racism stressors influence the timing and order of tumor mutations, and clinical outcomes in African Americans. We believe this work will ultimately help us develop approaches to more effectively treat African Americans and other minoritized groups.”

Dr. Erhunmwunsee’s research received further distinction by obtaining the Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award, which provides up to seven years of funding instead of the typical five years.

“City of Hope is extremely proud of Dr. Erhunmwunsee’s research focus as we seek to eradicate health disparities in cancer care,” said John D. Carpten, Ph.D., City of Hope’s chief scientific officer, Irell & Manella Cancer Center Director's Distinguished Chair and Morgan & Helen Chu Director's Chair of the Beckman Research Institute. “City of Hope is committed to ensuring every person living with cancer, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, insurance provider or geography, has access to leading-edge, optimal cancer care, and Dr. Erhunmwunsee’s research and focus are a testament to those efforts.”

African Americans have a higher risk of developing and dying from lung cancer than non-Hispanic whites despite smoking less. African Americans also have considerable exposure to major stressors resulting from structural racism, including air pollution and residential segregation.

Determining how these stressors affect the development and progression of lung cancer will help identify the mechanisms underlying lung cancer disparities and develop approaches to reduce the high burden of disease in this population, which has the highest non-small cell lung cancer risk and mortality rate.

In 2022, President Joe Biden launched the program to support early-career researchers and help build a cancer research workforce that better represents the diversity of America. The diverse set of scholars announced today will drive progress in the fight to end cancer, a key component of the president’s Unity Agenda — by pursuing projects at institutions across the country.

The Biden-Harris administration, through the National Cancer Institute, is committing more than $6 million in the first year of these multiyear awards to support the second cohort of 11 Cancer Moonshot Scholars.

Dr. Erhunmwunsee, who specializes in minimally invasive lung and esophageal surgery with a focus on robotic assisted resections, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Emory University in Atlanta and received her medical doctorate from Harvard Medical School, graduating magna cum laude. She continued her postgraduate training at Duke University Medical Center, completing a general surgery internship, followed by a residency in general surgery. This was followed by a residency in cardiothoracic surgery, also at Duke.

Board-certified in general and thoracic surgery, Dr. Erhunmwunsee has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including being appointed vice chair of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) DEI Directors Forum in 2023 and co-leading the NCCN Measuring and Addressing Health-Related Social Needs on Cancer Working Group. Additionally, in 2023 she was named a "Cancer Health 25 - Champions of Health Equity" in Cancer Health magazine.

She was among 21 women selected nationwide to participate in the Carol Emmott Fellowship Class of 2023. The fellowship is for exceptional, innovative women leaders who are making an impact in their communities and institutions and serving as advocates for equity in health care.