Max Wicha

Max Wicha, M.D., is a leading figure in cancer stem cell research and currently holds the Madeline and Sidney Forbes Professor of Oncology at the University of Michigan. He served as Founding Director of the Rogel Cancer Center for 27 years before stepping down in 2015 to focus on research. He is also Director of the Forbes Institute for Cancer Discovery and a member of the National Cancer Advisory Board.

• M.D., Stanford University School of Medicine (1974)
• Internal Medicine training at the University of Chicago
• Medical Oncology training at the NIH

Dr. Wicha's research centers on cancer stem cells, particularly in breast cancer. His work has established foundational models for studying stem cell regulation in solid tumors and identified pathways governing self-renewal and cell fate. Recent publications highlight his work in tumor microenvironment interactions, immune evasion mechanisms, and circulating tumor cell analysis.

Key research trends include metabolic regulation of stem cells, immune checkpoint targeting, and liquid biopsy applications across breast and prostate cancers. He has received significant recognition for advancing cancer stem cell biology and translational applications.

• National Cancer Advisory Board appointee (2015) by President Obama