Machtay named Penn State Cancer Institute associate director for clinical research

Dr. Mitchell Machtay has joined Penn State Cancer Institute as associate director for clinical research. He also serves Penn State College of Medicine in the newly created position of associate dean for clinical cancer research and as a professor of radiation oncology and medicine.

Machtay, a board-certified radiation oncologist, previously served as professor and chair in the Department of Radiation Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and associate director for clinical research at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. As a member of its cancer imaging program, he oversaw numerous investigator-initiated clinical trials and served as mentor for many junior investigators who developed and conducted their own clinical trials.

He continues to serve as deputy chair of research for NRG Oncology, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of cancer patients by conducting practice-changing, multi-institutional clinical and translational research.

“Dr. Machtay’s wealth of expertise will bring the Cancer Institute an enhanced ability to grow its clinical trials portfolio, especially trials that are investigator-initiated,” said Dr. Raymond Hohl, director, Penn State Cancer Institute. “With his recent selection to the high-profile position of associate dean for clinical cancer research, Dr. Machtay will help advance our ability to conduct cancer clinical trials within Penn State Health’s rapidly growing health care system. Ultimately, this means greater hope for cancer patients seeking our care for their diagnoses.”

In 2018, Highmark Health presented Penn State Cancer Institute with a $25 million grant to make immediate investments in research operations and transformative science. In addition to supporting development of new cancer treatment drugs and clinical trials that test promising new therapies, the grant supports recruitment of leading cancer researchers in key disciplines, like Machtay.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Machtay is joining Penn State’s deep roster of national experts who are dedicated to combating cancer,” said Deborah Rice-Johnson, president of Highmark Inc. “Through the Highmark/Penn State Health partnership, we are working together to recruit leading scientists and advance discoveries that improve the lives of individuals and families challenged by cancer. This work is a key component of our shared commitment to improve the health and well-being of central Pennsylvanians for generations to come.”

An active member of many professional and scientific societies, Machtay is a fellow of the American College of Radiology and the American Society of Radiation Oncology. In addition, he has authored or coauthored more than 180 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and editorials in high-impact cancer journals.

A graduate of New York University School of Medicine, Machtay earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University. He completed his internship at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York City, and a residency in radiation oncology at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, where he served as chief resident.

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