Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD
Lineberger Distinguished Professor
Executive Director, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Chief of Oncology Clinical Services, UNC Health System
Dr. Ferris is a head and neck surgical oncologist and tumor immunologist who leads neoadjuvant “window” trials testing novel immuno-oncology agents. His NIH-funded laboratory studies anti-tumor immunity and mechanisms of tumor escape.
Dr. Ferris has published >400 peer-reviewed publications that have garnered nearly 65,000 citations and an h-index >120. He led several practice-changing, prospective randomized trials, including Checkmate-141 (NEJM, 2016), which led to the FDA approval of nivolumab for HNSCC, and ECOG 3311 (JCO, 2021), testing chemoradiation “deintensification” after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for HPV+ oropharynx cancer, now incorporated into the latest NCCN guidelines. He has advanced neoadjuvant immunotherapy for >15 years.
Dr. Ferris co-chaired the NCI Steering Committee for H&N Cancer for 6 years. He served as a standing member of NCI Committee A reviewing Cancer Centers and previously chaired the NIH Tumor Microenvironment study section. He led the University of Pittsburgh (2017-2024) and now UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Ferris has co-founded two early-phase immuno-oncology companies. In 2025, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
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