E. Cohen

Biography

 Ezra Cohen, MD, an internationally renowned translational researcher, has been acknowledged for his contribution to the development of novel agents in head and neck and thyroid cancers as well as immuno-oncology. A physician-scientist, Dr. Cohen led an independently funded laboratory interested in mechanisms of action of novel therapeutics. He has made major contributions to targeted therapy. His recent National Institutes of Health-funded work in the study of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in head and neck cancer has contributed to the understanding of the biology of this critical signaling network, integration of these agents into the standard of care, and definition of mechanisms to overcome resistance. He currently serves as chair of the NCI Head and Neck Cancer Steering Committee that oversees NCI-funded clinical research (including all NCI Cooperative Group trials) in this disease. Dr. Cohen is Associate Director for Translational Science and team leader in Head and Neck Oncology as well as the Solid Tumor Therapeutics research program. His expertise and preeminent reputation in head and neck cancer research and patient care have expanded to solid tumor therapeutics especially in immunotherapy. Among other roles, he directs the Cancer Immunotherapy Program, chairs the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC), and serves as a member of the Cancer Council, C3 steering committee, and the cancer center’s Executive Committee. Dr. Cohen is editor-in-chief of Oral Oncology, the highest impact specialty journal in head and neck cancer, and has chaired the most recent two Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposia—the largest international meeting of its kind—sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Head and Neck Society. He has been the principal investigator on multiple studies of novel agents in head and neck cancer and other solid tumors in all phases of development including chemoprevention, phase I, II, and III trials. Dr. Cohen has authored more than 130 papers and has presented his research at national and international meetings. In addition, he is Chair of the Career Development Subcommittee of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and has served as a grant reviewer for the NIH, American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. Dr. Cohen completed residencies in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto and in Internal Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He completed a Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the University of Chicago where he was named chief fellow. Prior to his arrival in San Diego, Dr. Cohen was Co-Director of the Head and Neck Cancer Program, Associate Director of Education and Program Director for the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center. A dedicated educator, Dr. Cohen also mentored and developed young faculty in his program.

Research Interest

 Oncology