Timothy R Donahue

Dr. Timothy R Donahue is Professor of Surgery and Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, holding the Garry Shandling Chair in Pancreatic Surgery. He directs the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases, leading a multidisciplinary team focused on advancing pancreatic disease research and patient care through innovative clinical and translational approaches.

His research program encompasses:

• Molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer development and progression
• Novel therapeutic approaches targeting KRAS and other key pathways
• Immunotherapy strategies including STING pathway activation
• Surgical innovations in pancreaticoduodenectomy techniques
• Health services research examining disparities in pancreatic cancer care
• Metabolic reprogramming in pancreatic cancer

His laboratory investigates tumor-stroma interactions, treatment resistance mechanisms, and metabolic vulnerabilities to identify new therapeutic targets.

Analysis of Dr. Donahue's recent publications reveals a strong translational research focus spanning from basic molecular investigations to clinical outcomes studies. Key trends include integration of artificial intelligence for surgical planning, development of predictive models for surgical outcomes, investigation of metabolic pathways in treatment resistance, and examination of healthcare disparities in pancreatic cancer treatment. His work bridges laboratory discoveries with clinical applications to improve pancreatic cancer outcomes.

Dr. Donahue has secured significant research funding including:

• Principal Investigator: Leveraging Vulnerabilities Induced by STING Activation in Pancreatic Cancer (NIH R01CA250529, 2021-2026)
• Co-PI: Targeting KRAS and adenosine mediated immunosuppression (NIH R01CA260678, 2021-2026)
• Co-PI: Multifunctional Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle Platform (NIH U01CA198846, 2015-2021)

His mentorship extends to multiple postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and clinical researchers advancing pancreatic cancer science.

As Director of the Agi Hirshberg Center, Dr. Donahue oversees a comprehensive program integrating surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiology, and basic science to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The center's initiatives focus on early detection methods, personalized treatment protocols, and surgical outcome optimization through innovative techniques and predictive modeling.