​Dr. Lisa M. Coussens, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), FAACR, FAIO

Aspen Cancer Ideas Lecture

​Dr. Coussens is Chairwoman of the Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, and Deputy Director for Basic & Translational Research in the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Sciences University, and holds the Hildegard Lamfrom Endowed Chair in Basic Science. Dr. Coussens’ research focuses on dissecting the roles of normal immune cells in regulating various facets of solid tumor development, identifying leukocyte activities that are co-opted by early tumors to support ongoing cancer development, and in understanding the role leukocytes play in regulating responses to cytotoxic, targeted and immune-based therapies. Utilizing mouse models of mesothelioma, cutaneous, head and neck, pancreas and mammary carcinoma, her research identified critical immune-regulated pathways for therapeutic targeting that have been translated in proof-of-concept clinical trials in metastatic triple negative breast cancer, pancreas cancer, and head & neck squamous cancer. In recognition of her research contributions for revealing underlying mechanisms of cancer development, Dr. Coussens’ has been acknowledged with multiple awards in recognition of her scientific contributions including the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Gertrude B. Elion Award (2001), AACR-Women in Cancer Research Charlotte Friend Memorial Lectureship (2012), 13th Rosalind E. Franklin Award from the National Cancer Institute (2015), a Doctor in Medicine (honoris causa) from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina (2018), 12th AACR-Princess Takamatsu Memorial Lectureship (2018), Career Award from the European Academy of Tumor Immunology (2018), Susan G. Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Basic Science (2018), elected as Fellow of the American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS; 2018), Fellow of the AACR Academy (2019), Fellow of the Academy of Immuno Oncology (SITC; 2022), elected AACR President (2022-2023), inducted into the National Academy of Sciences (2023), awarded the 2023 Margaret L. Kripke Legend Award for advocacy and promotion of women in academic medicine and science, and named Heroine of Public Health by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2024).