Clark Chen, MD, PhD
The University of Minnesota Medical School has announced the addition of Clark Chen, MD, PhD, as the Lyle French Chair in Neurosurgery and the Head of the University of Minnesota Medical School Department of Neurosurgery. He will assume his new position in August 2017.
Dr. Chen is a nationally recognized brain tumor researcher and surgeon, with a dedicated interest in understanding how glioblastomas acquire resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. His research has focused on developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for patients with brain tumors.
Leadership Positions
Dr. Chen is currently Chief of Stereotactic and Radiosurgery, Vice-Chairman of Neurosurgery, and Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He played pivotal roles as the Principal Investigator of several surgery-based brain tumor trials, including studies using viruses engineered to destroy brain cancer cells. Clinically, he was at the forefront of developing and applying novel surgical tools—including the use of laser and ultrasound—as a treatment for patients with brain tumors. Prior to his role at UCSD, he led the brain tumor programs at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Accomplishments and Training
Dr. Chen is the recipient of several highly competitive research awards, including the Damon Runyon Fellowship Award; the Sidney Kimmel Scholar Award; the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation Career Award in Medical Sciences; the Sontag Foundation Distinguished Scientist Award; the Doris Duke Foundation Clinical Scientist Award; and the Forbeck Scholar Award.
In 2015, Dr. Chen received the Presidential Award of Achievement from the President of Taiwan, Ma Ying-jeou. The award is given annually by the Taiwanese government to individuals of Taiwanese heritage who have made exceptional contributions to their profession. ■
