Physician-Scientist Named Head of Neuro-Oncology at NYU Langone's Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center

Andrew S. Chi, MD, PhD

Renewing its commitment to enhance its stature in the field of Neuro-Oncology, NYU Langone Medical Center has announced the appointment of physician-scientist and brain tumor specialist Andrew S. Chi, MD, PhD, as the new chief of Neuro-Oncology for its Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center and co-director of the NYU Langone Brain Tumor Center.

“Andrew has the drive, tenacity and passion for scientific inquiry that is needed to make the great strides against brain tumors that we hope to achieve at NYU Langone,” says Benjamin G. Neel, MD, PhD, director of the Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone, one of only 69 NCI-designated cancer centers in the country. “I look forward to working with him and expect our programs to thrive under his leadership.”

In his new role, Dr. Chi will lead all neuro-oncologic related programs, working side by side with the Perlmutter Cancer Center’s other highly respected experts from a wide swath of medical and surgical specialties. In addition, he will co-lead the NYU Langone Brain Tumor Center in partnership with John G. Golfinos, MD, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery.

“We are very excited to welcome Andrew to the NYU Langone community,” Dr. Golfinos says. “His clinical and research work is stellar, and he has dedicated his career to understanding what drives brain tumors. Our collaborative efforts under the auspices of the NYU Langone Brain Tumor Center will greatly expand our existing strengths and capabilities to provide brain cancer patients with the most thorough care, from diagnosis through surgery through new and cutting-edge post-operative treatment.”

Dr. Chi joins the faculty of NYU Langone following a distinguished career at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Faber/Harvard Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, where he held the academic title of assistant professor of Neurology. His clinical work at Massachuetts General Hospital included the neuro-oncologic treatment of primary brain tumors, metastatic tumors to the central nervous system and neurologic complications of cancer.

In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Chi’s research is highly respected in his field of specialty. His investigative work principally focuses on the identification of molecular genetic alterations that underlie the development, progression and treatment resistance of brain tumors. By understanding the mechanism by which tumor genome alterations drive the growth of cancers, therapeutic strategies can be designed to improve outcomes for patients.

After completing his post-doctoral research at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Chi began his research studies of the underlying genetic mechanisms of brain tumors in the laboratory on a team with Daniel P. Cahill, MD, PhD, and A. John Iafrate, MD, PhD, where they advanced the understanding of the molecular genetics of gliomas and uncovered novel molecular targets for the treatments for brain tumors.

An alumnus of Boston University, Dr. Chi earned his medical degree and PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from Chicago Medical School. He completed his residency in Neurology at the Harvard Medical School program based at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, serving his final year as chief resident. He then completed fellowship and post-doctoral research in the Harvard program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Massachusetts General Hospital before joining the Harvard faculty as an instructor of Neurology. He subsequently was promoted to assistant professor.

In addition to receiving more than a dozen scientific honors and awards, Dr. Chi is or has served as the principal or co-investigator for 16 clinical trials.

“I am thrilled to join NYU Langone and to work with Dr. Neel, Dr. Golfinos and the other respected faculty at the Perlmutter Cancer Center,” says Dr. Chi. “We share a similar vision of innovation for the Cancer Center, and I am confident that as a result of these efforts, we will see major scientific and clinical advances against these horrible diseases in the coming years.”