Cleveland Clinic Appoints Alex A. Adjei, M.D., Ph.D., as Chair of Taussig Cancer Institute

Alex A. Adjei, M.D., Ph.D., will serve as the new chair of Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, starting in July. Previously, he served as a consultant in oncology, professor of oncology and professor of pharmacology at Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, Minn. He also oversaw oncology drug development, as well as lung cancer research and treatment across various Mayo Clinic sites. Additionally, he co-led the developmental therapeutics program at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center.

“It’s an honor to welcome Dr. Adjei to lead our Taussig Cancer Institute,” said Cleveland Clinic Chief of Staff Beri Ridgeway, M.D. “His clinical expertise, extensive research accomplishments in oncology, and significant leadership experience will benefit our institute and advance patient care.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Adjei has focused his research on experimental therapeutics, regulatory science and clinical drug development. Other research interests include health disparities, global oncology, new drug treatments for lung cancer and the varying effects of drug toxicities on people.

A multidisciplinary team of clinical and translational researchers under his leadership has evaluated new drug therapies for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. He has also contributed to the development of classical chemotherapy agents, targeted therapies, immunotherapy and cancer fighting viruses for the treatment of lung cancer and other solid tumors.

Prior to his most recent role, Dr. Adjei served as the Katharine Anne Gioia Chair in Cancer Medicine, senior vice president of clinical research, chairman of the Department of Medicine, and professor of oncology at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y.

“Cancer is one of the most distressing diseases afflicting humans,” said Dr. Adjei. “Thankfully, with recent scientific advances, we are making progress toward understanding, preventing and treating all forms of cancers. I’m truly honored and excited to have the opportunity to work with this team of talented professionals and help position Cleveland Clinic at the forefront of cancer care.”

Dr. Adjei has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, in addition to books, book chapters and abstracts, and has given numerous presentations throughout the U.S. and internationally. He is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology and the JTO Clinical and Research Reports.

Among numerous awards and honors, Dr. Adjei has received the Adi F. Gazdar Merit Award from the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer for Distinguished Achievement in Lung Cancer Research and Mentorship.

A native of Ghana, Dr. Adjei earned his medical degree from the University of Ghana Medical School and his Ph.D. from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. He was chief resident in the Department of Medicine at Howard University, and he completed a clinical fellowship as a clinical and research fellow in oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital.

Dr. Adjei succeeds Jame Abraham, M.D., who has served as interim chair of Taussig Cancer Institute since May 2021, when former chair Brian Bolwell, M.D., F.A.C.P., was appointed chair, physician leadership and development, within the Mandel Global Leadership and Learning Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Abraham will continue in his role as chair of the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Taussig Cancer Institute.