Timothy Yap

Academic History

Timothy Yap, MBBS, PhD, is a Medical Oncologist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. He is the Ransom Horne, Jr. Endowed Professor for Cancer Research in the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Program) and the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology. He also serves as Vice President and Head of Clinical Development in the Therapeutics Discovery Division and as Associate Director of Translational Research in the Khalifa Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy at MD Anderson.

Prof. Yap obtained his medical degree from Imperial College London, London, UK. He completed general medical training in Oxford and specialist training in medical oncology at The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK. He undertook a Clinical Fellowship in the Phase I Drug Development Unit at The Royal Marsden Hospital and was awarded a Cancer Research UK Fellowship to complete a PhD in Molecular Pharmacology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK. Prior to joining MD Anderson, Prof. Yap was Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden Hospital and Clinician Scientist at The Institute of Cancer Research.

Speaking on novel therapeutics, biomarker-driven strategies and precision oncology

Prof. Yap is an internationally recognized leader in clinical and translational cancer research and precision medicine. His primary focus is on early-phase, biomarker-driven trials of first-in-class agents and rational combinations of molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapies. His research centers on the development and translation of novel therapeutics targeting the DNA damage response, cell cycle regulation, and immune pathways, incorporating predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers to guide treatment selection and optimize clinical outcomes.

His contributions have been recognized with multiple honors, including the Emil Frei III Award for Excellence in Translational Research (2023), the Irwin H. Krakoff Award for Excellence in Clinical Research (2021), the National Cancer Institute Michaele C. Christian Oncology Development Lectureship and Award (2019), the V Foundation Clinical Scholar Award (2020), and the McElwain Prize in Medical Oncology from the UK Association of Cancer Physicians (2012).