Academic History

Michael Atkins, MD, FASCO, is a William M. Scholl Professor and vice chair of the Department of Medical Oncology at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees at Tufts University, Medford, MA , followed by a master’s at the Havard University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. He completed his medical residency at the New England Medical Center Hospital, Boston, MA.

His current roles also include the deputy director of the Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Co-director of the Melanoma and Cutaneous Malignancy Program, and Co-director of the Melanoma Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He also leads the Lombardi Immunotherapy Initiative and Institutional Pilot Grants Programs. He currently co-chairs the Melanoma Research Foundation Scientific Advisory Council and was previously the president of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

Speaking on immunotherapies for renal cell carcinoma and melanoma

Prof. Atkins has treated patients with advanced melanoma and kidney cancers for over 30 years alongside playing a role in renal cell carcinoma and melanoma clinical trials investigating treatment approaches and biomarker identification. He is internationally recognized for his work in both translation and clinical research.

He has spearheaded pivotal clinical trials, including the Phase III DREAMseq trial establishing optimal sequencing of immunotherapy and targeted therapy in BRAF‑mutant melanoma. In the field of kidney cancer, Prof. Atkins’ research has also provided insights on evolving RCC biomarkers, and key kidney cancer trials assessing axitinib/pembrolizumab and other front-line combination therapies.