Mary-Ellen Taplin

Mary-Ellen Taplin, MD is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Chair of the Executive Committee for Clinical Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She is a nationally recognized expert in genitourinary oncology with particular expertise in prostate cancer research and treatment. Dr. Taplin has dedicated her career to advancing clinical and translational research in prostate cancer while providing exceptional patient care and mentoring the next generation of oncologists.

Dr. Taplin earned her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1986. She completed her internal medicine residency and served as chief medical resident at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, followed by a hematology-oncology fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Taplin's research has fundamentally shaped our understanding of prostate cancer biology and treatment. Her groundbreaking 1995 NEJM publication first reported androgen receptor mutations in metastatic prostate cancer, establishing critical insights into treatment resistance mechanisms. She served as principal investigator for the first biomarker-directed trial (galeterone) targeting androgen receptor splice variants in metastatic prostate cancer, demonstrating her leadership in precision oncology approaches.

Her recent publications (2023-2025) reveal several key research themes including DNA damage repair alterations and response to PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceuticals, AI applications in prostate cancer imaging, addressing health disparities in genetic testing for Black men, and novel combination therapies to overcome treatment resistance. She has been instrumental in developing consensus guidelines through the Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference.

• Dana-Farber Cancer Center Medical Oncology Teaching Award (2009)

As a key opinion leader in genitourinary oncology, Dr. Taplin has led numerous clinical trials that have shaped current prostate cancer treatment standards. Her work with abiraterone and enzalutamide exemplifies successful bench-to-bedside translation of basic science discoveries. She has mentored countless trainees and junior faculty, contributing significantly to oncology education and research training.

Dr. Taplin leads a dynamic research program focused on translational prostate cancer research, with particular expertise in biomarker development, treatment resistance mechanisms, and innovative clinical trial design. Her team bridges basic science discoveries with clinical applications to improve outcomes for prostate cancer patients through precision medicine approaches.