Evanthia Galanis

Evanthia Galanis, M.D., is a Professor of Oncology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with joint appointments in the Department of Oncology (Division of Medical Oncology) and the Department of Molecular Medicine. She is a leading clinician-investigator in the fields of oncolytic virotherapy and neuro-oncology, with a focus on translating novel gene and virus-based therapies into clinical applications for solid tumors, particularly glioblastoma and ovarian cancer.

• Executive Dean for Development, Mayo Clinic (2019–present)
• Co-chair, Glioblastoma Working Group, National Cancer Institute (2015–present)
• Chair, Neuro-Oncology Committee, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (2011–present)
• Leader, Gene and Virus Therapy Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center (2012–2020)
• Chair, Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic (2009–2019)

Dr. Galanis earned her M.D. and D.Sc. from Athens University School of Medicine and completed her residency and fellowship training in Hematology/Oncology at Mayo Clinic. She is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Medical Oncology.

Her research is centered on engineering oncolytic measles virus derivatives to target cancer cells, enhance immune response, and improve delivery through innovative strategies such as cell-mediated carriers. She has led numerous Phase I and II clinical trials, including the first human use of measles virus in brain and ovarian cancers. Her work is supported by the National Cancer Institute and integrated into multiple Mayo Clinic SPORE programs.

Recent publications highlight her leadership in advancing oncolytic virotherapy, with key themes including viral retargeting, combination therapies with checkpoint inhibitors and radiation, immunomodulation, and clinical trial design in neuro-oncology. Her articles reflect a strong emphasis on translational innovation, molecular engineering, and patient-centered outcomes.

Dr. Galanis has received numerous honors, including:

• Distinguished Mayo Clinic Investigator Award (2020)
• Victor Levin Award for Achievement in Neuro-Oncology (2023)
• Sandra J. Schulze Professorship (2013–present)
• Election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation (2011)
• Professor Honoris Causa, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2023)

She has served as principal or co-investigator on multiple NIH-funded grants and collaborative trials through the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. Her mentorship and leadership have shaped the development of novel therapeutic platforms and the training of future physician-scientists. She is actively involved in advancing structured oncology data systems and innovative trial designs to improve cancer care.

Dr. Galanis leads or participates in several research teams and programs, including:

• Gene and Virus Therapy Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Brain Cancer SPORE
• Ovarian Cancer SPORE
• Breast Cancer SPORE
• David F. and Margaret T. Grohne Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapeutics Program
• Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology – Neuro-Oncology Committee