Donald T Fox

Donald T Fox is a Professor of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology at Duke University, holding joint appointments in Cell Biology and affiliations with the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Regeneration Center, and Duke Science & Society. His research focuses on genomic extremes in organ development and repair, particularly polyploidy and codon usage bias. He leads the Duke Regeneration Center as Co-Director and has been awarded prestigious honors including the Pew Scholars in the Biomedical Sciences (2012) and American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award (2016).

Education includes a B.S. from the College of William and Mary (2000) and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2006). His work spans cellular biology, genetics, and developmental biology, with recent grants totaling over $12.5M from NIH, NSF, and other agencies to explore polyploidy's role in health and disease.

Key research themes include understanding how polyploidy and codon bias regulate tissue repair, cancer progression, and responses to genomic damage. Fox's lab develops advanced imaging techniques (e.g., 4D light field tomography) to visualize cellular processes in living organisms. His interdisciplinary approach bridges basic science and translational medicine, addressing challenges in space radiation countermeasures and regenerative therapies.

• Grants: Principal Investigator on $12.5M NSF grant for polyploidy research (2024–2030), NIH grants for codon usage studies and cancer programs.
• Awards: Pew Biomedical Scholar, American Cancer Society Scholar, and multiple Duke institutional recognitions.
• Service: Co-Director of Duke Regeneration Center, mentor in NIH-funded biomedical training programs.