David Nathanson

David Nathanson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a member of multiple programs including the Neuroscience Program Area, Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Molecular Imaging, Nanotechnology, and Theranostics Program Area. His research focuses on glioblastoma, integrating molecular alterations and functional processes (e.g., metabolism, apoptosis) to develop novel therapies, with an emphasis on brain-penetrant drugs and companion molecular biomarkers.

• Ph.D., UCLA (under Dr. Paul Mischel)
• Postdoctoral Training in Tumor Metabolism, Drug Development, and Molecular Imaging at UCLA

His research spans Glioblastoma, Tumor Metabolism, Molecular Imaging, and Cancer Therapeutics. Recent publications (2024–2025) highlight work on synthetic lethality, non-apoptotic cell death, immune checkpoint blockade, and radioligand therapy for brain tumors. These studies often employ preclinical models, single-cell transcriptomics, and molecular diagnostics.

Scientific awards include the Ruth Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NIH), STOP Cancer Award, Sanofi Innovation Award, and Johnny Mercer Foundation Award. He advises graduate students and postdocs such as Quincy Okobi, Alan Olivero, and Henan Zhu, whose work involves tumor-immune interactions, lipid metabolism, and epigenetic regulation.