Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) announced today that Ross Levine, MD, has been named MSK’s new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). A renowned physician-scientist, Dr. Levine previously served as Senior Vice President of Translational Research in Memorial Hospital (MH) and holds the Edward P. Evans Endowed Chair for Myelodysplastic Syndromes at MSK. He succeeds Joan Massagué, PhD, Director of the Sloan Kettering Institute (SKI).
As Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Levine will be responsible for setting and leading strategies for basic and translational research, including programs, centers, and technology cores. In this role, he will be a key strategic partner to the Director of SKI and the Chief Physician Executive in managing the full spectrum of research across MSK, ensuring alignment and collaboration. He will also have oversight of the finances and operations of MSK’s research programs.
“Dr. Levine’s career as an internationally recognized leader and physician-scientist at MSK has been excellent preparation for this pivotal role,” said Selwyn M. Vickers, MD, FACS, President and CEO of MSK. “He is highly regarded for his generous, compassionate nature and his commitment to his colleagues across MSK. Dr. Levine is also a relentless advocate for science who works tirelessly to improve outcomes for patients. We are extremely fortunate to have someone with his scientific expertise and global renown whose passion for research is equaled only by his dedication to improving the lives of patients everywhere.”
Dr. Levine’s work focuses on understanding the genetic basis for the development of myeloid malignancies and using this insight to seek better therapies. His primary research interests include the role of JAK-STAT signaling in malignant transformation and the effects of mutations in epigenetic modifiers in clonal hematopoiesis and myeloid malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia.
“Our science and scientists are core to what makes MSK special,” said Dr. Levine. “I am excited to take on this role and help MSK chart its next chapter in scientific discovery and translation. There has never been a better time to see science achieve impact.”
Since joining MSK in 2007, Dr. Levine has held several leadership roles. In 2022, he was appointed Deputy Physician-in-Chief of Translational Research at Memorial Hospital. In that capacity, he was responsible for developing a coordinated effort to support translational research across the hospital and overseeing the activities of the MH Collaborative Research Centers, Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), and all MH laboratory-based research. Prior to that, beginning in 2019, he served as the first Service Chief of the Molecular Cancer Medicine Service in HOPP, after serving as inaugural Director of the Center for Hematologic Malignancies since 2016.
He is also the recipient of many awards and honors, including MSK’s Excellence in Mentoring Award, the Dameshek Prize from the American Society of Hematology, the Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Cancer Research, the Laurence Joseph Dineen Chair in Leukemia Research, a Scholar Award from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Boyer Award for Clinical Investigation from MSK, and an NCI Outstanding Investigator R35 Award.
Media Contact
Rebecca Williams
williamr@mskcc.org