A conversation with a leading oncologist, scientist, and business leader
Tom Lynch, MD, is president and director of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. A former American Cancer Society grantee, Dr. Lynch is a physician scientist who has taken care of thousands of lung cancer patients and helped conduct translational research that has changed the field. Early in his career he was part of a transdisciplinary research team that discovered how targeted therapies could help lung cancer patients with mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. Dr. Lynch was most recently chief scientific officer of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Previously he was CEO of Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, director of Yale Cancer Center, physician-in-chief at Yale’s Smilow Cancer Hospital, chief of hematology-oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. 0:53 – What he enjoys most about his new job 1:52 – The very important role of fundamental, basic science and the promise of transdisciplinary research 4:28 – Two cancer research breakthroughs in recent years that stand out: the advent of immunotherapy and the ability to sequence genes for patients 7:42 – Advice for an academic seeking to partner with biotech to translate research into the clinic? How can the gap between industry and academia be bridged? 11:00 – Advice for young scientists trying to take the next step in their career 13:20 – His scientific hero 13:35 – His favorite teacher growing up 14:35 – Most exhilarating moment of his scientific career 17:32 – Most important part of his daily routine 18:23 – The need to change how science is taught in universities 21:50 – A message for cancer patients and caregivers