Albert Yoon-Kyu Han

Dr. Albert Yoon-Kyu Han is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. He is a fellowship-trained head and neck surgical oncologist and board-certified otolaryngologist at Keck Medicine of USC, where he provides expert care for benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Han completed his MD-PhD through the UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program. His educational background includes undergraduate studies in computer science at UC Berkeley, reflecting his early recognition of technology's critical role across future domains.

Dr. Han's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms driving head and neck cancer formation and recurrence, with particular emphasis on the tumor microenvironment. His work explores how fibroblasts and other non-cancerous cells interact with tumors to support cancer growth and treatment resistance. He investigates the "ecosystem" in which cancer cells live, studying how to reprogram fibroblasts to deprive tumors of their supportive environment. His research also examines the role of viruses (particularly HPV) and bacteria in cancer progression, as well as biomarkers for early, noninvasive cancer detection.

Analysis of Dr. Han's recent publications reveals a strong focus on head and neck oncology with particular attention to surgical outcomes, tumor biology, and translational applications. His work spans basic science investigations of tumor microenvironment mechanisms, clinical studies of surgical techniques and outcomes, epidemiological analyses of cancer patterns, and innovative approaches to cancer detection and treatment. A notable trend is his growing interest in the interplay between microbiome, viruses, and cancer development.

• Mentored Career Development in Clinical and Translational Science Scholar through the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI)

Dr. Han is deeply committed to mentorship, designing research projects that align with trainees' interests and timelines to facilitate lead-author publications. He provides immediate access to equipment, reagents, and patient-derived samples to minimize logistical barriers for medical students and residents spending limited time in his lab. His mentorship philosophy emphasizes equipping trainees with both scientific judgment and practical skills, guiding them through the entire research process from hypothesis development to publication. Dr. Han credits the mentorship of Dr. Yang Chai (Interim Dean of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry) and Dr. Uttam K. Sinha (Division Chief of Head and Neck Surgery) as pivotal to his development as a physician-scientist.

Dr. Han leads the Han Lab at USC, where his research team investigates molecular mechanisms of head and neck cancers. He collaborates with leaders in cancer biology, population science, and translational medicine within the USC research ecosystem. His lab focuses on innovative approaches to cancer therapy that target the tumor microenvironment rather than cancer cells directly, representing a paradigm shift in cancer treatment strategy.