Dr. Ann Marie Egloff
Lead Investigator and Assistant Professor in Academic Cancer Research
Dr. Ann Marie Egloff was born in Owosso, Michigan, and grew up in a family where education and community service were highly valued. Her mother was a sixth-grade science teacher, and her father was a public school educator and administrator. They instilled in her a passion for learning and a commitment to making a difference in the community. She excelled in her studies, graduating with honors from Swartz Creek High School, particularly in math and science. Outside the classroom, she demonstrated versatility, playing varsity basketball, competing in track and field, and diving on the swim team. She also served on the student council, performed in theater productions, and participated in ballet with the Flint Institute of Music.
After high school, Dr. Egloff attended the University of Michigan, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology. This academic foundation would lead her to a successful career in biomedical research, focusing on cancer research and immunology.
The Start of a Research Career
Dr. Egloff began her professional journey in biomedical research as a Research Assistant at Warner-Lambert Parke-Davis (now Pfizer) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During her time there, she was awarded two employee recognition awards for her work in molecular cloning and therapeutic target expression. She also worked with small-molecule inhibitors used in cancer and metabolic disease departments. This hands-on experience in the laboratory solidified her passion for research, prompting her to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Her research at Johns Hopkins focused on immunology and protein biochemistry, specifically examining immune cell signaling pathways that influence cellular responses. Her dissertation work laid the groundwork for much of her future research in cancer immunotherapy, as she explored how immune cells interact with their environment to affect disease progression.
A Shift Towards Cancer Research
Upon completing her PhD, she moved on to a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), focusing on functional studies of cancer-causing gene mutations. She was honored with an NHGRI award for excellence in research during her tenure. While at NHGRI, Dr. Egloff had the opportunity to witness the completion of the human genome sequence and participate in large-scale cancer genetic screening initiatives, which revealed the potential of genomics to revolutionize cancer treatment and patient care.
Dr. Egloff continued her training at the University of Pittsburgh, where she pursued a combined Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and a postdoctoral scholarship in translational cancer research. Her work focused on bringing laboratory research into clinical practice, aiming to tailor cancer treatments to individual patients based on their unique genetic profiles. This translational research set the stage for her future contributions to personalized cancer therapy.
Leading Innovation in Cancer Research
Dr. Ann Marie Egloff’s career took a significant step forward when she joined the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as a Research Associate Professor. In this role, she became a principal investigator in the Department of Otolaryngology, focusing her research on the genomics of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). She investigated cancer therapeutic vulnerabilities, pivotal in early efforts to integrate genomic and proteomic data to guide personalized treatment strategies for cancer patients.
Her work was widely recognized, earning substantial funding from organizations like the NIH and gaining thousands of citations in scientific literature. Dr. Egloff also contributed to developing clinical biospecimen resources, which enabled groundbreaking discoveries through biomarker research and computational analysis, further advancing the field of cancer research.
Boston and Beyond
In 2015, Dr. Ann Marie Egloff brought her expertise to Boston University, where she served as a Research Associate Professor and Scientific Director in the Department of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. She worked to build research infrastructure, promote interdepartmental collaboration, and engage with patient advisory boards to enhance the impact of her work. Her efforts contributed to advancing translational research, focusing on head and neck cancer.
Dr. Egloff continued her research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she became a lead investigator in several high-profile projects. She is also an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School. Her current work focuses on tumor immunology and precision medicine approaches to cancer immunotherapy, where she is exploring innovative ways to improve cancer treatment outcomes. She works closely with physicians, surgeons, and other scientists to translate her research findings into effective clinical therapies.
A Passion for Teaching and Mentorship
Throughout her career, Dr. Ann Marie Egloff has been committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of researchers. She has been a faculty member at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh, Boston University, and Harvard Medical School. She has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral researchers, helping them develop their careers in biomedical research and clinical medicine.
In addition to her mentoring, Dr. Egloff has reviewed manuscripts for leading scientific journals and served on grant study sections. She has also judged academic and biotech competitions, contributing to the broader scientific community.
Recognition and Professional Service
Dr. Ann Marie Egloff’s contributions to cancer research have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the NHGRI Director’s Award for Outstanding Service. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Through these affiliations, she remains engaged in the ongoing development of cancer research and contributes to the field's future direction.
A Life Rooted in Curiosity and Community
Outside of her work in the laboratory, Dr. Ann Marie Egloff is deeply involved in her community in Somerville, Massachusetts. She is one of the organizers of a local community garden and volunteers for various charitable initiatives. She is also a trustee for her homeowners' association and supports several nonprofit organizations, including Doctors Without Borders and the National Park Foundation.
Dr. Egloff enjoys biking, gardening, reading, and playing the violin in her free time. These hobbies reflect her creative spirit and curiosity, which have played an essential role in shaping her scientific career.
A Career That’s Personal
For Dr. Ann Marie Egloff, science is not just about making discoveries; it’s about making a meaningful impact on people’s lives. She builds solid foundations, asks insightful questions, and translates research into better patient outcomes. Her work in cancer immunology and head and neck cancers continues to break new ground, improving cancer treatment and patient care.
Dr. Ann Marie Egloff’s career is a testament to her dedication to science, mentorship, and desire to make a difference in the world. Her ongoing research continues to shape the future of cancer therapy and inspire the next generation of scientists.