Hao Nguyen

Hao Nguyen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he is also the Benioff-Goldberg Endowed Professor in Cancer Biology. He received his MD and PhD from Boston University School of Medicine and completed his residency in Urologic Surgery at UC Davis, followed by a Society of Urologic Oncology Fellowship at UCSF. He is a surgeon-scientist focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of prostate cancer.

His research centers on molecular mechanisms of stress response in prostate cancer, particularly the unfolded protein response (UPR), using genetic mouse models and patient-derived xenografts. His work has identified therapeutic targets and led to a patent for biomarker-guided therapy using PTEN loss and phospho-eIF2α. He has published in high-impact journals such as Science Translational Medicine, Nature Reviews Urology, and Cancer Cell.

The recent publications highlight a strong focus on translational and clinical prostate cancer research, including targeted therapies, imaging (PSMA PET, MRI fusion), active surveillance, and surgical outcomes. His work integrates molecular biology, clinical data, and advanced imaging to improve patient stratification and treatment efficacy.

• Department of Defense Grant
• Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award (2016)
• AUA Rising Star in Research Award (2016)
• The Cancer League Young Investigator (2018)
• University of California, Davis Department of Urology Visiting Professorship (2019)
• Goldberg-Benioff Endowed Professorship in Cancer Biology (2019)
• William R. Smart M.D. Distinguished Teaching Award (2019)
• PCF Challenge Grant ($1 million, 2020)

Hao Nguyen has secured major research grants, including a $1M PCF Challenge Grant, to develop novel therapeutics for metastatic prostate cancer. He mentors trainees and contributes to clinical education, evidenced by his Distinguished Teaching Award. His lab integrates basic science with clinical applications, focusing on biomarker discovery and therapeutic innovation. He collaborates extensively within UCSF and across the University of California system.

He is actively involved in prostate cancer research teams and leads projects on stress response pathways and patient-derived models. His clinical work emphasizes early detection using advanced imaging and biomarkers, positioning him at the forefront of precision urologic oncology.