Mark R. Philips

Mark R. Philips, MD, is a Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, holding appointments in the Department of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, and Department of Cell Biology. He is also the Associate Director of Education and Training at the Perlmutter Cancer Center, highlighting his leadership in academic and research training.

Dr. Philips earned his MD from Columbia University in 1982, followed by residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Rheumatology at NYU Medical Center. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

His research focuses on the cell biology of GTPases, especially Ras family proteins, and their roles in cancer and immune signaling. His lab investigates how GTPases are processed and targeted to membranes, with a focus on post-translational modifications such as prenylation and carboxyl methylation. A key discovery was that carboxyl methylation regulates vesicular transport of Ras, opening new avenues for anticancer therapies.

Dr. Philips’ recent publications highlight work on KRAS splice variants, their distinct interactomes, and roles in tumor microenvironments. His team developed fluorescent probes to visualize Ras activation in live cells, advancing the study of signal transduction.

His scientific contributions span over decades, with 138 publications reflecting sustained impact in molecular oncology and cell signaling.

He is actively involved in mentoring and education through his leadership role at the Perlmutter Cancer Center, fostering the next generation of physician-scientists.