James Hicks

Dr. James Hicks serves as Professor of Research in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California's Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and as Deputy Director of the Convergent Science Institute in Cancer (CSI-Cancer) at the USC Michelson Center. A pioneer in single cell genomics and translational cancer research, Dr. Hicks focuses on breast and prostate cancer through the development of high-content single cell assays to understand cancer's spatial and temporal evolution in the human body.

Trained initially at the University of Oregon, Dr. Hicks built his career through research and faculty appointments at Cornell University and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory before joining USC in 2014. His groundbreaking work at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory enabled routine whole genome analysis of individual cells applied to solid tumor biopsies, establishing him as a leader in the field. At CSI-Cancer, his research expands to systemic diseases including cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes, addressing challenges of disease evolution under natural and therapeutic pressures.

Dr. Hicks' research program represents a unique bridge between academic excellence and corporate entrepreneurship, with a proven track record of translating scientific discoveries into practical applications. His work on liquid biopsy technologies has positioned him at the forefront of cancer diagnostics, with over one hundred scientific papers and patents to his name, alongside multiple founded companies. The Convergent Science Institute under his deputy directorship integrates patient data, model systems, and high-content single cell analysis with advanced machine learning to translate clinical observations into mechanistic understanding of cancer dynamics across cellular, human, and population scales.

Analysis of his recent publication record (2024-2025) reveals consistent innovation across multiple cancer types including breast, prostate, lung, pancreatic, and retinoblastoma. His research demonstrates sophisticated integration of single-cell analysis with liquid biopsy approaches, establishing new standards for cancer detection, monitoring treatment response, and understanding tumor heterogeneity. Notably, his work spans from fundamental genomic discoveries to clinical applications, with particular emphasis on developing more sensitive diagnostic methods and understanding the evolutionary dynamics that drive treatment resistance.

As Deputy Director of CSI-Cancer, Dr. Hicks plays a critical role in advancing the institute's mission to enhance cancer patient care through convergent science that brings together researchers across disciplines. His leadership extends to the DoD-funded Convergent Science Cancer Consortium, which includes collaborations with Cedars-Sinai, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Stanford University, demonstrating his significant impact on the broader cancer research community.