Edward Kaftan Named Assistant Cancer Center Director for Translational Science at Yale Cancer Center

Edward Kaftan, PhD

Edward Kaftan, PhD, has been appointed Assistant Cancer Center Director for Translational Science at Yale Cancer Center (YCC). In this role, Kaftan will be Lead Scientist for the Office of Translational Research overseeing members of the team in the execution of translational research priorities, and will be responsible for critically important initiatives to lead and support the growth and development of translational science. 

Kaftan has collaborated with Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, Chief of Medical Oncology at YCC and Smilow Cancer Hospital and Associate Cancer Center Director for Translational Research at YCC for the last 6 years to advance the Center’s translational research goals. These include both Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Lung Cancer and Head and Neck Cancer, development of submitted grants and future SPORE applications, oversight of the Translational-Targeted Areas of Research Excellence (T-TARE) process, and emerging team science initiatives.

“Dr. Kaftan has a strong scientific background and solid track record of academic and industry success in the study of cell biology and signaling. He is an essential member of our team and his contributions and leadership have been critical to our success in securing several multimillion-dollar grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and industry partners, as well as the management of these grants and our T-TARE program,” said Herbst. “Our investment in the T-Tare program has translated into over $40 million of cancer funding and more importantly a culture of translational research and direct to patient investigation. We are thrilled Dr. Kaftan will grow this program even further along with the critical translational initiatives of the Center.”

About Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital
Yale Cancer Center (YCC) is one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation and the only such center in Connecticut. Cancer treatment for patients is available at Smilow Cancer Hospital through 13 multidisciplinary teams and at 15 Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Centers in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Comprehensive cancer centers play a vital role in the advancement of the NCI’s goal of reducing morbidity and mortality from cancer through scientific research, cancer prevention, and innovative cancer treatment.