Nicholas Navin

Nicholas Navin, Ph.D., is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Systems Biology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He holds joint appointments in the Department of Bioinformatics and the UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. His research pioneered single-cell genomics, including inventing the first single-nucleus DNA sequencing method for mammalian cells. He directs the CPRIT Single Cell Genomics Center and co-directs the Advanced Technology Genomics Core, advancing technologies for cancer genomic analysis. Dr. Navin’s work focuses on cancer evolution, therapy resistance, and translating genomic insights into clinical applications. His lab collaborates with oncologists and pathologists to address challenges in invasion, metastasis, and treatment resistance. He has received prestigious awards, including the Damon-Runyon Innovator Award and the AAAS Wachtel Award.

• Primary Roles: Chair, Systems Biology; Director, CPRIT Single Cell Genomics Center; Co-Director, Advanced Technology Genomics Core.
• Awards: Wilson Stone Award, Randall Innovator Award, MD Anderson President’s Award for Research Excellence.

Dr. Navin’s research interests span cancer genomics, single-cell technologies, and clonal evolution. His lab develops computational tools like Monopogen for variant calling and cancerSimCraft for genome simulations. Recent work includes spatial transcriptomics of breast tissue, immune landscape analysis of gliomas, and studying therapy resistance in prostate and pancreatic cancers.

His educational contributions include mentoring graduate students and training fellows at the UTHealth Graduate School. Collaborative efforts with clinicians aim to bridge genomic discoveries with clinical outcomes, emphasizing precision medicine and early detection strategies.