Ross Okimoto

Ross Okimoto is a physician-scientist at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), affiliated with the Department of Medicine and School of Medicine. As a medical oncologist specializing in sarcomas and lung cancer, he bridges laboratory research with clinical applications to develop novel cancer therapies. His work focuses on understanding transcriptional dependencies in cancer cells that drive tumor progression and metastasis.

• Creighton University: BS in Biology (2002)
• Creighton University School of Medicine: MD (2009)
• Tufts Medical Center: Residency in Internal Medicine (2012)
• UCSF: Fellowship in Medical Oncology (2017)

Okimoto’s research centers on the molecular mechanisms of oncogenic processes, particularly involving the Capicua (CIC) protein. His studies explore:

• CIC-DUX4 fusion oncoproteins in undifferentiated sarcomas
• Transcriptional repression and chromatin dynamics
• YAP1 regulation in tumor suppression
• EGFR inhibitor resistance in lung cancer
• Systems-level metabolic differences in metastatic tumors

His work demonstrates a commitment to identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities in aggressive cancers. Recent publications highlight advancements in CIC-related sarcoma therapies and RNA splicing mechanisms in lung cancer.

• NIH R37CA255453 (2021-2026): Therapeutic degradation of CIC fusion proteins
• NIH K08CA222625 (2018-2023): Capicua’s role in lung cancer metastasis
• AAAS/Science Program for Excellence in Science (2015)
• A.P. Giannini Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2016)
• NIH-NCI Career Development Award (K08) (2018)
• UCSF Department of Medicine Cohort Initiative Award (2019)