Aram F. Hezel

Aram F. Hezel, M.D., is a Professor and Chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, holding the John and Ethel Heselden Professorship. He maintains joint appointments in the Department of Biomedical Genetics and the Cancer Center. Driven by personal and scientific motivations, his clinical focus is on gastrointestinal cancers (esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, liver, colorectal), while his research emphasizes translational oncology, cancer genetics, and clinical trials for novel therapies.

Research Interests: Dr. Hezel's work integrates laboratory discovery with patient care, targeting the genetics of pancreatic/liver cancers and developing innovative clinical trials. His studies explore tumor microenvironments, metabolic reprogramming, and immune modulation in GI malignancies, aiming to improve therapeutic outcomes and personalized treatment strategies.

Awards & Honors:

• Patient & Family Centered Care Top Performer Award (2013)
• American Cancer Society Career Development Award (2013)
• Teacher of the Year (2012, 2011)
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute Early Career Award (2007)
• NCI/PanCAN Career Development Awards (2006, 2005)

Leadership & Mentorship: As Division Chief, Dr. Hezel oversees clinical and research programs while actively mentoring oncology fellows, postdoctoral researchers, and MD-PhD students. He champions physician-scientist training through institutional and national initiatives, fostering a collaborative research environment focused on reducing cancer burden.