Phillip M. Rappold

Phillip M. Rappold, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He is affiliated with the University of Rochester Medical Center and UR Medicine Faculty Group, specializing in urology and surgery. Dr. Rappold holds dual degrees in medicine and molecular biology and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Rochester and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, respectively.

His research focuses on the intersection of urology, oncology, and immunology, with particular expertise in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. He investigates tumor microenvironment dynamics, immune escape mechanisms, and genomic/metabolic alterations to improve cancer therapies. His work also extends to robotic surgery training protocols and systemic immunological predictors of post-surgery outcomes.

Recent publications highlight his contributions to immunotherapy and genomic profiling in renal cancer. Key themes include immune cell geospatial mapping, targetable myeloid inflammation, actionable genomic alterations, and spatiotemporal tumor heterogeneity. He has also explored metabolic hallmarks in SDH- and FH-deficient carcinomas and developed simulation-based emergency undocking curricula for robotic surgery.

As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Rappold combines translational research with clinical practice. His work bridges precision medicine, immunological dynamics, and surgical innovation to address challenges in renal cancer recurrence and treatment.