Katy K. TsaiView profile
Assistant Clinical Professor
Dr. Katy K. Tsai is a clinical faculty member at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), affiliated with the School of Medicine and the Department of Medicine. She serves in the Melanoma & Skin Cancer Program as a medical oncologist and Site Committee Chair, where she plays a key role in developing clinical trials and curating the program's research portfolio. BA in Comparative Literature, Brown University (2006) MD, Brown University (2010) Residency in Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2013) Fellowship in Medical Oncology, UCSF (2016), where she served as chief fellow Dr. Tsai's research is centered on improving outcomes for melanoma patients, with a focus on melanoma survivorship and the understanding and management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) , including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and fatigue syndromes. Her work bridges clinical oncology and translational science, aiming to enhance both efficacy and safety of immunotherapies. The 15 most recent articles reflect a strong emphasis on immunotherapy , checkpoint inhibitors , melanoma brain metastases , and toxicity management . Her publications include pivotal clinical trials (e.g., POLARIS), molecular profiling studies, and contributions to major clinical guidelines (NCCN, ASCO). The research spans from single-cell immunology to population-level symptom burden during the pandemic, demonstrating a broad and integrative approach. Her scientific awards include: Research Honors in Urogynecology, Brown University (2010) Chairman's Award in Department of Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill (2013) ASCO/AACR Workshop on Clinical Cancer Research Methods (2014) ASCO Travel Award for Meritorious Abstract (2015) SITC Young Investigator Travel Award (2016) Dr. Tsai is actively involved in mentoring and collaborative research, frequently working with multidisciplinary teams across oncology, dermatology, surgery, and cardio-oncology. While no formal advising roles are listed, her leadership in clinical trials and guideline development indicates a significant role in training and shaping future research. She is not associated with a named lab but contributes to the broader research ecosystem at UCSF, particularly within the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC).











