Our Scientists

Our more than 700 scientists have consistently published important papers in peer-reviewed journals and are among the top researchers in the world in terms of total citations. The work of Genentech scientists has not only contributed to the development of innovative, biologic-based therapies but has elucidated the mechanisms of cancer growth and development.

Dedicated to Rigorous Research and Groundbreaking Science

As a result of our focus on innovative and groundbreaking research and our determination to foster individual creativity and initiative among our researchers, we employ some of the top scientists in the country. A number of our researchers have been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences — one of the highest honors that can be awarded a scientist — in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their fields of research. Our founding member, Herb Boyer, was elected as a member in 1985, followed by Richard Scheller in 2000, Marc Tessier-Lavigne in 2005, and most recently, Napoleone Ferrara in 2006 for his contributions to the understanding of angiogenesis, including his successful cloning of VEGF.

The research vision at Genentech BioOncology Integrated research efforts involving our multi-disciplinary teams have enabled us to explore and begin to understand the pathways to cancer which include angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle control and global regulators, cancer stem cells, development and growth factor signaling pathways, and key drivers of tumor initiation and maintenance. Our efforts continue to generate new molecular entities, including antibodies, proteins, small molecules, and armed antibody modulators that are under development for their potential use as cancer therapeutics. The ultimate goal is to translate the knowledge we generate into innovative therapies that will benefit cancer patients.

— Dr Richard Scheller
    Executive Vice President, Research

Our Scientists

The following scientists are integral contributors to the ongoing research efforts for Genentech BioOncology:

  • Richard SchellerRichard Scheller, Executive Vice President: Research
    Richard Scheller sets strategy for Genentech's research and drug-discovery activities and serves as Chair of Genentech's Research Review Committee and as a member of Genentech's Executive Committee.

  • Marc Tessier-LavigneMarc Tessier-Lavigne, Senior Vice President: Research Drug Discovery
    Marc Tessier-Lavigne manages the portfolio of drug-discovery projects within Genentech's research organization and oversees the departments of Molecular Oncology, Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Biology, and Physiology.

  • Vishva DixitVishva Dixit, Vice President, Staff Scientist: Physiological Chemistry
    Vishva Dixit directs the Department of Molecular Oncology. His laboratory's current focus is on defining components of the apoptotic, or cell death, pathway and characterizing members of the tumor necrosis factor family of ligands and receptors.

  • Avi AshkenaziAvi Ashkenazi, Director, Senior Staff Scientist: Molecular Oncology
    Avi Ashkenazi investigates a variety of cellular signal transduction mechanisms—including apoptosis—and has developed technologies to modulate such mechanisms as a potential means of therapeutic intervention in cancer and autoimmune disease.

  • Napoleone FerraraNapoleone Ferrara, Genentech Fellow: Molecular Oncology
    Napoleone Ferrara's laboratory identified the gene for human VEGF and demonstrated that VEGF is a key mediator of tumor angiogenesis. Such studies led to the development of the humanized anti-VEGF antibody known as Avastin® (bevacizumab, rhuMAB-VEGF) which is currently in stage III clinical trials for several types of cancer.

  • Ellen FilvaroffEllen Filvaroff, Senior Scientist: Molecular Oncology
    Ellen Filvaroff's laboratory currently investigates mechanisms by which tumor cells recruit host cells to support tumor growth.

  • Diane PennicaDiane Pennica, Senior Scientist: Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis
    Diane Pennica's research focuses on the identification of genes that are aberrantly induced during colon tumor development. Such genes may be useful markers for cancer diagnosis and may be potential targets for cancer therapeutics.

  • Paul PolakisPaul Polakis, Director, Staff Scientist: Cancer Pathways & Targets
    Paul Polakis heads the Tumor Antigen Project in an effort to identify tumor cell markers that will serve as potential targets for immunotherapeutic antibodies.

  • Mark SliwkowskiMark Sliwkowski, Director, Staff Scientist: Translational Oncology
    Mark Sliwkowski is responsible for coordinating all in vitro and in vivo research activities in the identification and assessment of second generation therapeutic compounds directed against HER2.