Isaac Chan

Isaac Chan, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of the Division of Hematology and Oncology. He is also the Principal Investigator of the Chan Research Lab, which is part of the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in Dallas, Texas. His work bridges clinical oncology and translational research, focusing on metastatic breast cancer and immunotherapy.

Education:

• Ph.D. and M.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Internal Medicine Residency, Boston University
• Medical Oncology Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Dr. Chan's research centers on understanding how cancer spreads and evades the immune system. His lab develops human-representative models to study metastasis, with a focus on innate immune responses, particularly natural killer (NK) cells and barrier cells. He aims to develop new therapies that harness the body's immune system to target metastatic disease. His vision emphasizes targeting shared immune pathways across patients to create broadly effective treatments.

His recent publications highlight trends in metastasis modeling, immune evasion, patient-partnered research, and therapeutic innovation. The work spans disciplines including cancer biology, immunology, molecular signaling, and patient-centered care, with increasing emphasis on translational and clinical impact.

Scientific Awards:

• Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award in Breast Cancer (2019)
• Komen ASPIRE Award
• Basic Science Award at SABCS
• Alpha Omega Alpha Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship
• Conquer Cancer Medical Student Rotation for Underrepresented Populations
• SURF Fellowship

Dr. Chan actively mentors trainees, including graduate students, medical students, and research technicians, many of whom have received prestigious awards under his guidance. His lab is supported by grants and donations, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and advocacy. He has collaborated closely with patient advocates through Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnerships (GRASP) and has written op-eds for The Washington Post on patient-centered care.

The Chan Research Lab fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment, integrating clinicians, scientists, and patient advocates as equal team members. The lab values maturity, respect, curiosity, and scientific rigor, aiming to tackle major challenges in metastatic cancer. The team includes clinical and research staff such as Lab Manager Rina Sridharan, Senior Research Associate Libi Viswanathan, and trainees from UTSW and beyond.