Chi Van Dang

Dr. Chi Van Dang is a professor, physician-researcher, renowned cancer biologist and hematologist-oncologist who serves as Director of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. His laboratory has contributed to the understanding of the function of the Myc cancer gene, which has emerged as a central transcription factor, or gene switch, in many different human cancers. His group documented the function of Myc in regulating microRNAs that have been implicated in tumorigenesis, and his laboratory established the first mechanistic link between the Myc cancer gene and cellular energy metabolism, contributing to the concept that genetic alterations re-program tumors to render them addicted to certain fuel sources.  The work of the Dang and his collaborators has led to the concept that Myc is a central regulator of cell proliferation and cellular metabolism. The Dang laboratory is now exploiting these concepts for therapeutic targeting of cancer cell metabolism as a new way to treat cancer. As Director of the Abramson Cancer Center, Dang has launched a series of Translational Centers of Excellence, which propels teams of scientists, nurses, and clinicians to reach for the cure for various cancers. He also catalyzed the establishment of the Center for Personalized Diagnostics and the Basser Research Center for BRCA. Dang has been recognized with a NIH MERIT award and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, the National Cancer Institute Board of Scientific Advisors, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Association of American Physicians in addition to his American Academy of Arts and Sciences membership. He is the author of over 200 scientific publications that appear in prominent journals such as Cell, Cancer Research, and Nature.