David Hockenbery

Dr. David Hockenbery serves as Professor across three divisions at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Translational Science and Therapeutics, Human Biology, and Public Health Sciences. He is also a Member of the Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center (IIRC), focusing on cancer biology and metabolic regulation of cell death pathways.

His research centers on programmed cell death (apoptosis) defects in cancer cells and the intersection of cellular metabolism with oncogenic processes. Key areas include MYC oncogene regulation of metabolic networks, metabolic vulnerabilities in triple-negative breast cancer and glioblastoma, metabolic reprogramming in Tasmanian Devil facial tumor disease, and metabolic differences between naïve and primed embryonic stem cells. His lab employs functional genomics, metabolomic profiling, and small-molecule screening to identify cancer-selective therapeutic targets.

Notable recognition includes the 2022 Ali Al-Johani Award. His research is supported by significant funding such as a $5.25M grant from the Kuni Foundation for innovative adult oncology research. Current projects involve repolarizing tumor-associated macrophages using metabolic inhibitors and investigating acetaldehyde sensitivity in stem cell models of Fanconi anemia.

• Education: MD from Washington University School of Medicine (1982)

The Hockenbery Lab operates within Fred Hutch's collaborative research ecosystem, maintaining active partnerships with the University of Washington Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and leveraging resources like the Cancer Consortium's 750+ clinical trials infrastructure.