City of Hope Appoints Dr. Christine M. Lovly to Lead National Thoracic Oncology Program
City of Hope has announced the appointment of physician-scientist Christine M. Lovly, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.S.C.O., as the head of its new National Thoracic Oncology Program, effective January 1, 2026.
In her new role, Dr. Lovly will serve as division chief of thoracic medical oncology and professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope National Medical Center.
Bringing nearly two decades of expertise in clinical care, research, and academic leadership, Dr. Lovly has made significant contributions to advancing personalized therapies that enhance outcomes and quality of life for individuals with lung cancer. Her leadership will guide the development of a comprehensive, research-driven program focused on innovation and excellence in thoracic oncology nationwide.
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City of Hope Appoints Leading Lung Cancer Expert Dr. Christine M. Lovly to Head National Thoracic Oncology Program
DUARTE, Calif. — [Month Day, 2025] — City of Hope®, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, today announced the appointment of Christine M. Lovly, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.S.C.O., an internationally recognized physician-scientist, to lead the development of its National Thoracic Oncology Program. The appointment, effective January 1, 2026, marks a pivotal step forward in City of Hope’s mission to deliver exceptional multidisciplinary care and transformative research for patients with lung cancer across the nation.
City of Hope’s National Medical Center is consistently ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report, underscoring its reputation for world-class innovation and patient-centered care. The recruitment of Dr. Lovly, a foremost authority on the molecular biology of lung cancer, further strengthens City of Hope’s standing as a national leader in oncology research, education, and precision medicine.
In her new role, Dr. Lovly will serve as division chief of thoracic medical oncology, professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, and will hold the Dr. Norman and Melinda Payson Professorship in Medical Oncology at City of Hope National Medical Center. She will be responsible for shaping the vision and direction of City of Hope’s national thoracic oncology program—building a foundation that integrates state-of-the-art research, compassionate care, and multidisciplinary collaboration to transform outcomes for people with lung cancer.
A Leader in Lung Cancer Research and Precision Medicine
Dr. Lovly brings nearly two decades of experience spanning clinical care, translational research, and academic leadership. Her pioneering work has redefined the modern landscape of lung cancer treatment, advancing precision medicine approaches that match therapies to the genetic makeup of individual tumors. Her expertise in targeted therapies and the molecular mechanisms that drive drug response and resistance has led to major breakthroughs in the management of lung cancers characterized by EGFR and ALK alterations.
At a time when lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and incidence rates are increasing among women, younger individuals, and nonsmokers, Dr. Lovly’s leadership arrives at a crucial moment. Her appointment reinforces City of Hope’s deep commitment to tackling one of the most challenging and complex diseases through innovation, science, and human compassion.
A Record of Scientific Excellence and National Impact
Dr. Lovly’s influence extends far beyond the laboratory and clinic. She serves on multiple national and international boards that shape the future of lung cancer research and treatment, including the scientific leadership boards of the LUNGevity Foundation, the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer Research, and the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. In addition, she plays a key role in defining national standards of care as a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines Panel for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
Her ongoing research portfolio includes projects that explore biomarkers, drug resistance mechanisms, and novel therapeutic combinations. Dr. Lovly’s lab integrates data science and computational modeling to create predictive algorithms that identify promising drug interactions and new therapeutic targets—approaches that have the potential to improve efficacy and minimize side effects for patients. Her translational work bridges the gap between bench and bedside, turning scientific discoveries into tangible clinical advances.
These groundbreaking contributions earned her the 2025 William J. Darby Award, recognizing her for “translational research that has changed the practice of medicine worldwide.” Earlier this year, the LUNGevity Foundation honored Dr. Lovly with its prestigious Face of Hope Award, which celebrates individuals who make transformative contributions to improving the lives of people living with lung cancer. Previous recipients include Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Oncology Center of Excellence, and Robert Winn, M.D., president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes.
Leadership at the Forefront of Multidisciplinary Care
At City of Hope, Dr. Lovly will lead efforts to advance multidisciplinary clinical care, integrating thoracic oncology, radiation therapy, surgery, molecular diagnostics, and supportive services into a unified patient-centered model. She will oversee the recruitment and mentorship of a world-class team of clinicians and scientists, fostering collaboration across specialties and campuses within the City of Hope system.
Dr. Lovly’s mandate also includes expanding translational and clinical research, developing clinical trials that bring new therapies to patients more rapidly, and building strategic partnerships with academic institutions, biotechnology companies, and advocacy organizations. Through these initiatives, she aims to solidify City of Hope’s position as a national and global leader in lung cancer innovation, discovery, and patient outcomes.
Dr. Christine Lovly is a widely recognized expert whose groundbreaking research and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care make her an extraordinary addition to City of Hope,” said Marcel van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D., president of City of Hope Los Angeles and City of Hope National Medical Center, and Deana and Steve Campbell Chief Physician Executive Distinguished Chair in Honor of Alexandra Levine, M.D. “Her expertise in precision medicine and translational science will be instrumental in shaping our national thoracic oncology program and accelerating progress for patients with lung cancer across the country.”
A Vision for the Future of Lung Cancer Care
For Dr. Lovly, the opportunity to lead City of Hope’s national thoracic oncology program represents both a professional milestone and a personal mission. “I believe the future of lung cancer care lies in precision medicine and team-based collaboration,” she said. “City of Hope is the ideal place to bring that vision to life. I look forward to working alongside world-class clinicians and researchers to build a program that truly serves patients and their families.”
Her vision emphasizes three key pillars:
- Precision Medicine: Developing targeted therapies based on tumor genomics and immune profiles.
- Translational Research: Bridging discoveries from the laboratory to clinical applications that rapidly benefit patients.
- Collaborative Care: Fostering a multidisciplinary environment where experts from different specialties collaborate to provide holistic and personalized care.
From Vanderbilt to City of Hope: A Career of Impact
Before joining City of Hope, Dr. Lovly was a tenured faculty member at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she also held a joint appointment at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. At Vanderbilt, she built a robust translational research program focused on resistance mechanisms to targeted therapy in lung cancer. She mentored dozens of early-career scientists and clinicians and was instrumental in fostering collaboration between laboratory researchers and oncologists to improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Lovly is an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and serves on numerous editorial boards, including Cancer Discovery, Clinical Cancer Research, and JCO Precision Oncology. Her leadership roles within the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) include serving on its Board of Directors, where she helps shape the organization’s scientific priorities and strategic initiatives.
She has authored or co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, including landmark studies that have informed global standards for the treatment of EGFR-mutant and ALK-rearranged lung cancers. Her dedication to mentorship and advocacy has also earned her recognition for advancing diversity and inclusion in cancer research and medical education.
A New Era for City of Hope’s Thoracic Oncology Program
The establishment of City of Hope’s National Thoracic Oncology Program reflects the institution’s broader commitment to confronting cancer through innovation, collaboration, and compassion. Under Dr. Lovly’s leadership, the program will unify expertise across City of Hope’s expanding network, which includes City of Hope Los Angeles, City of Hope Orange County, and City of Hope Atlanta, as well as its growing national presence through partnerships and satellite centers.
By integrating cutting-edge research, genomic diagnostics, and clinical excellence, the program aims to set new benchmarks for lung cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship. With Dr. Lovly at the helm, City of Hope is poised to redefine what is possible in the fight against lung cancer—offering patients renewed hope through science-driven, personalized car
About City of Hope
City of Hope’s mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope™.
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