Samir Zaidi

Dr. Samir Zaidi, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, specializing in Medical Oncology and Hematology. He is a member of the Yale Cancer Center and the Center for Molecular and Cellular Oncology (CMCO), contributing to translational research initiatives focused on genitourinary cancers. Dr. Zaidi also holds the title of Stephen Sherwin MD Investigator and is a member of the Janeway Society, underscoring his role as a physician-scientist.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2009
• MD and PhD in Genetics, Yale School of Medicine and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 2016 and 2015 respectively
• Internal Medicine Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School), 2018
• Medical Oncology Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), 2022

Dr. Zaidi's research centers on understanding tumor resistance mechanisms and lineage plasticity in prostate and kidney cancers. His work emphasizes the role of inflammatory signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT and FGFR in driving lineage transitions and therapeutic resistance. He employs a translational approach rooted in basic biology to develop innovative cancer therapies. His publications in top-tier journals like Nature Cancer, Science, and Journal of Clinical Investigation reveal consistent themes in neuroendocrine transformation, tumor heterogeneity, and targeted inhibition strategies across genitourinary and lung cancers.

Scientific Awards:

• Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists (CAMS), 2023
• Louis V. Gerstner Scholar, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2022

Dr. Zaidi has not listed formal advisees, but as a newly appointed faculty member, he is likely mentoring trainees within the Yale Cancer Center and CMCO. His research is supported by prestigious fellowships and institutional affiliations. He maintains active collaborations with leading scientists such as Charles Sawyers, Peter Pe'er, and Akiko Iwasaki. As part of the Yale Cancer Center, he participates in interdisciplinary teams advancing molecular oncology and personalized therapy. His clinical work focuses on patients with genitourinary malignancies, integrating research insights into patient care.