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 Scheller, Executive Vice President: Genentech Research & Early Development
-
Marc Tessier-Lavigne, Executive Vice President: Research and Chief Scientific Officer
-
Vishva Dixit, Vice President: Physiological Chemistry
-
Ira Mellman, Vice President: Research Oncology
-
Mark Sliwkowski, Staff Scientist: Research Oncology
-
Lori Friedman, Director: Cancer Signaling & Translational Oncology
-
Allen Ebens, Associate Director: Cancer Signaling & Translational Oncology
-
Marcia Belvin, Senior Scientist: Cancer Signaling & Translational Oncology
-
Stephen Gould, Senior Scientist: Cancer Signaling & Translational Oncology
-
Paul Polakis, Director, Staff Scientist: Cancer Targets
-
Mike Costa, Senior Sceintist: Cancer Targets
-
Bill Mallet, Scientist: Cancer Targets
-
Peter Jackson, Director, Staff Scientist: Cell Regulation
-
Tom O'Brien, Senior Scientist: Cell Regulation
-
Mary Ludlam (Cole), Scientist: Cell Regulation
-
Avi Ashkenazi, Director, Senior Staff Scientist: Molecular Oncology
-
Ellen Filvaroff, Senior Scientist: Molecular Oncology
-
Greg Plowman, Senior Director: Tumor Biology and Angiogenesis
-
Napoleone Ferrara, Genentech Fellow: Tumor Biology and Angiogenesis
-
Diane Pennica, Senior Scientist: Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis
-
Weilan Ye, Senior Scientist: Tumor Biology and Angiogenesis