His lab will focus on advancing immuno‑oncology and microbiome innovation and research on understanding and interrupting tumor–immune interactions
PHOENIX — (May 12, 2026) — The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope, today announced the appointment of Nhan L. Tran, Ph.D., to its faculty as Distinguished Professor, Vice President of Cancer Discovery and Translation, Co-director of TGen’s Immunology and Microbiome Division, and Scientific Director of the Microbiome and Immuno-Oncology (MIOC) program, a joint effort between TGen, City of Hope and Northern Arizona University.
Dr. Tran brings more than two decades of expertise in tumor biology, translational oncology, and the development of targeted therapies to his new roles. His research has been widely recognized for advancing the understanding of cancer invasion, metastasis, and treatment resistance, particularly in aggressive solid tumors. Dr. Tran returns to TGen after nearly a decade at Mayo Clinic, where he served as a Professor of Cancer Biology and held joint appointments in the Departments of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology. Following his postdoctoral work, Dr. Tran began his career as an Associate Investigator at TGen.
Today, Dr. Tran’s lab focuses on the aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma, particularly on how tumor cells invade surrounding brain tissue and reshape their environment to evade the immune system. This altered environment enables the tumor to grow, adapt, and resist treatment. By identifying and disrupting these interactions, he’ll work to develop therapies that re-engage the body’s immune response and improve patient outcomes.
“My work is driven by a simple goal: to turn scientific insight into meaningful progress for patients.”
“Dr. Tran is a transformative scientist whose leadership and vision align perfectly with TGen’s mission to rapidly move discoveries from the lab to the clinic,” said TGen President and Research Director, Jeffrey M. Trent, Ph.D. “His expertise will strengthen our efforts to deliver more precise, more effective treatments for patients facing the most challenging cancers.”
As a Distinguished Professor at TGen, Dr. Tran will continue to lead innovative research programs while mentoring the next generation of scientists and expanding collaborative efforts across TGen and City of Hope.
“I’m honored to step into this role and to help advance TGen’s mission,” said Dr. Tran. “My work is driven by a simple goal: to turn scientific insight into meaningful progress for patients. By bringing together experts in immunology, microbiome science, and cancer biology, we have an opportunity to better understand how tumors interact with their environment and why they resist treatment. I’m excited to help strengthen these collaborations across TGen and move discoveries into the clinic as efficiently and responsibly as possible, so patients benefit from new approaches sooner.”
Dr. Tran has served as PI or co-PI on numerous federally funded research grants, including National Cancer Institute–supported initiatives in mathematical oncology, tumor microenvironment modeling, and STAT5/OLIG2‑mediated therapeutic resistance. His publication record includes more than 130 peer‑reviewed articles, spanning cancer biology, imaging, molecular signaling, and precision medicine.
“The appointment of Dr. Tran strengthens both TGen and its national impact. His NIH‑funded brain tumor research expands the institute’s existing scientific depth, and his well‑established leadership in team science supports City of Hope’s growing, nationwide cancer efforts,” said Michael Berens, Ph.D., a professor in TGen’s Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division and head of the Glioma Research Lab.
Dr. Tran earned his Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from the University of Arizona, followed by postdoctoral fellowships in Neuro‑Oncology at the Barrow Neurological Institute and in the Brain Tumor Unit at the Translational Genomics Research Institute in the Berens lab. He also holds a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Arizona.
About TGen, part of City of Hope
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based nonprofit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life-changing results. TGen is part of City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. This precision medicine affiliation enables both institutes to complement each other in research and patient care, with City of Hope providing a significant clinical setting to advance scientific discoveries made by TGen. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, diabetes and infectious diseases through cutting-edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research toward patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and complex rare diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process.
Media Contacts
TGen
Galen Perry
602-343-8423
gperry@tgen.org