David R. Piwnica-Worms

David R. Piwnica-Worms, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, Division of Diagnostic Imaging at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He also holds joint appointments as Professor in the Department of Cancer Biology at MD Anderson and in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University, reflecting his interdisciplinary expertise.

His research focuses on advancing molecular imaging technologies to study biological processes in real time within living systems. Key interests include protein-protein interactions, signal transduction pathways such as IkB/NFkB and EGFR, multidrug resistance, and metabolic flux. His lab has developed groundbreaking tools like luciferase protein fragment complementation platforms, dual-color protein interaction switches, and bioluminescent fusion reporters, which are widely adopted in biotechnology and biomedical research.

Dr. Piwnica-Worms leads the Quantitative Imaging Analysis Core (QIAC) and holds the Gerald Dewey Dodd, Jr., Endowed Distinguished Chair in Diagnostic Imaging. His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, particularly in developing novel PET tracers and activatable peptides for clinical imaging and precision medicine applications.

He is actively involved in research training and mentorship, though specific students are not listed. His leadership roles and sustained research output indicate ongoing grant and contract support. No specific scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text.

His lab contributes significantly to the advancement of imaging-based approaches in cancer research, enabling deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and therapeutic responses. These efforts support MD Anderson’s mission of eliminating cancer through innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.