UT MD Anderson Names Albert Koong, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced that Albert Koong, M.D., Ph.D., an internationally recognized physician-scientist, has been appointed chief scientific officer (CSO), effective June 1. Koong has served as CSO ad interim since Jan. 1.

The CSO role oversees UT MD Anderson’s laboratory and clinical research enterprise, champions innovation, develops strong partnerships, and provides focused leadership on the science and clinical translation of research programs. In this role, Koong already has accelerated the institution’s momentum on key strategies around impact, accessibility and culture, as well as strengthened communication, alignment and trust across the research community.

Koong has made substantial contributions in the field of oncology research since joining UT MD Anderson nine years ago, and has served in multiple leadership roles, including as division head of Radiation Oncology.

“Dr. Koong has consistently demonstrated exceptional capability and strategic insight, and he has a true commitment to teamwork, transparency and innovation,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of UT MD Anderson. “At a time of rapid scientific advancement, expanding artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and unprecedented opportunity, we need a leader with deep institutional knowledge and broad national and global respect. Dr. Koong is that leader, and I am confident that he will keep UT MD Anderson at the forefront of cancer science.”

In addition to his strong record leading a department and a division, Koong has been involved in a wide range of institutional committees, deepening his understanding and relationships within UT MD Anderson’s scientific community. He leads a highly productive laboratory funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), and he has served as principal investigator on numerous clinical studies that have advanced standards of care in gastrointestinal radiation oncology.

His honors include the Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award, the Richard T. Hoppe Leadership Award, and election as a Fellow of both the American College of Radiology (FACR) and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (FASTRO). He is widely respected not only for his clinical and scientific expertise but also for his leadership contributions to organizations such as the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

“I am truly honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead an incredible team of talented researchers who are committed to making advancements in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship,” Koong said. “The inspiring work being done at this institution is built on a foundation of curiosity, collaboration, and compassion. I enthusiastically embrace this pivotal moment to create a resilient research enterprise that will ensure UT MD Anderson maintains our position as the global leader in cancer care and research.”

Koong earned his M.D. from Northwestern University Medical School and his Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Stanford University School of Medicine. He subsequently completed his internship in internal medicine at Santa Clara Kaiser and a residency in radiation oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine.