Padmanee Sharma

Immunologist and oncologist
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. Sharma is an internationally renowned physician scientist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she serves as a Professor in Genitourinary Medical Oncology and Immunology, Associate VP of Immunobiology, and holds the T.C. and Jeanette D. Hsu Endowed Chair in Cell Biology. She is the inaugural Scientific Director for the Immunotherapy Platform at MD Anderson, overseeing immune monitoring studies for over 100 clinical trials. In 2022, she was appointed the Director of Scientific Programs for the James P. Allison Institute.

Her pioneering work includes leading the first neoadjuvant trial with immune checkpoint therapy. She also identified multiple mechanisms of response and resistance to immune checkpoint therapy. Her work also led to the development of multiple innovative immunotherapy clinical trials, including trials that led to the FDA approval of immune checkpoint agents to treat bladder and renal cell carcinoma. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Emil Frei III Award (2016), the Coley Award (2018), and the Randall Prize (2021). Dr. Sharma is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, member of the American Association of Physicians, and fellow of the Academy of the American Association for Cancer Research.

In addition to her research, Dr. Sharma is a dedicated mentor, having guided over 50 students, fellows, and junior faculty since 2005. Dr. Sharma earned her M.D. and Ph.D. in immunology from Pennsylvania State University in 1998, completed her residency at Cornell Medical Center in 2000, and her postdoctoral work plus fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in 2004.