Academic history

Sapna Patel, BA, MD, is a distinguished melanoma oncologist and clinical investigator at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and the CU Department of Medicine, Aurora, CO. She is now a Professor in the Division of Medical Oncology, where she leads the Cutaneous Oncology Program and holds the Dr. William Robinson Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. Previously, Prof. Patel spent over 16 years at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, TX, where she was Associate Professor, Director of the Uveal Melanoma Program, and Director of the Melanoma Fellowship Program.

Prof. Patel earned her BA from the University of Texas at Austin and MD at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She subsequently completed her residency at CU Health Sciences Center,

Speaking on treatment of melanomas

Prof. Patel specializes in uveal, cutaneous, and mucosal melanoma, and she leads one of the world’s largest metastatic uveal melanoma practices. She chaired the SWOG S1801 trial, a groundbreaking study highlighting the benefit of perioperative immunotherapy, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Her research focuses on targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and biomarker discovery, with the goal of advancing treatment for both common and rare melanomas.