Heimberger Named Interim Associate Director of Translational Research

Amy Heimberger, MD, has been named interim associate director of Translational Research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, where she will oversee the development and coordination of translational science efforts within the Lurie Cancer Center, effective January 1. 2022.

A renowned neurosurgical oncologist and expert in immunotherapies, Heimberger is the Jean Malnati Miller Professor of Brain Tumor Research and vice chair for research in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is also scientific director of the Northwestern Medicine Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Cancer Center. 

Heimberger’s research focuses on immune therapeutic strategies for patients with central nervous system malignancies and tumor-mediated mechanisms of immune suppression. She has been involved in a wide variety of bench-to-bedside immune therapeutics, including those developed in her laboratory and arising from her own patents. She has expertise in the investigational new drug application process, and has been the principal investigator of multiple clinical trials.

In September, Dr. Heimberger was named by President Biden to the National Cancer Advisory Board, which plays an important role in setting the course for the nation’s cancer research program. In this role, she will replace Massimo Cristofanilli, MD, who is moving to a new position in New York.

“Amy Heimberger is an exceptional physician-scientist and a dynamic leader. I look forward to working with her to further advance the translation of our superb basic science to the clinic,” said Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, director of the Lurie Cancer Center. “I would also like to thank Dr. Cristofanilli for his many contributions to our translational research initiatives over the years, and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

In September, Heimberger was named by President Biden to the National Cancer Advisory Board, which plays an important role in setting the course for the nation’s cancer research program.