William Gabriel Hawkins

William Gabriel Hawkins, M.D., FACS, is a surgical oncologist and researcher at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where he holds the position of Deputy Director at the Hollings Cancer Center and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Surgery. His work focuses on advancing pancreatic cancer research and improving clinical outcomes through collaborative team science and multi-disciplinary approaches.

• Education
• Medical Degree: State University of New York at Stony Brook (1995)
• Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (1999)
• Fellowship: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2001)

Dr. Hawkins specializes in abdominal cancers, including pancreatic, liver, gallbladder, and sarcoma. His research emphasizes developing and testing novel therapies for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, leveraging his leadership role in the prestigious Washington University Pancreatic Cancer SPORE program. He also aims to strengthen translational research and expand clinical trials across South Carolina.

His scientific contributions include co-directing the Pancreatic Cancer SPORE team, a National Cancer Institute-funded initiative dedicated to discovery, resource building, and innovation in pancreatic cancer treatment. This aligns with his administrative focus on improving clinical operations and fostering collaborations between MUSC and Washington University.

• Professional Roles
• Deputy Director, Hollings Cancer Center
• Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, MUSC Department of Surgery
• Co-Director, Washington University Pancreatic Cancer SPORE Team

Dr. Hawkins leads the Hawkins Lab at MUSC, which is part of the Surgical Oncology Research division. He continues to see patients with solid malignancies, combining clinical practice with research to address urgent needs in abdominal cancer treatment.