Jason Mills, MD, PhD, named chair of Department of Molecular and Precision Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine has appointed Jason Mills, MD, PhD, a nationally recognized physician-scientist and leader in regenerative biology and cancer research, as chair of the Department of Molecular and Precision Medicine, effective May 1, 2026.
Dr. Mills joins the College of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine, where he is a professor of medicine, pathology and immunology, and molecular and cellular biology. His research has fundamentally reshaped the understanding of tissue regeneration and cancer initiation, most notably through his pioneering work on paligenosis, a conserved cellular program in which mature, differentiated cells revert to a regenerative, progenitor-like state in response to injury. This work has important implications for tissue repair, cancer biology and early cancer interception.
At Baylor, Dr. Mills held several key leadership roles that strengthened the institution’s research and training missions. He served as vice chief and chief of research of gastroenterology within the Department of Medicine, managing a broad portfolio of investigative programs spanning digestive disease biology, regenerative medicine and cancer. He was also a director of the Texas Medical Center Digestive Disease Center, a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded P30 research consortium, where he contributed to strategic planning, core development and the cultivation of interdisciplinary collaboration across basic, translational and clinical teams.
In addition, Dr. Mills served as associate director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor, overseeing cancer research education efforts, and directed major initiatives within the Baylor-Texas Medical Center research ecosystem focused on epithelial biology, cell plasticity and early cancer interception.
An extremely well-funded investigator, Dr. Mills has maintained continuous support from the NIH and other major federal and foundation partners throughout his career. He brings multiple active grants, a productive laboratory and a vibrant network of multidisciplinary collaborations that will strengthen and expand the College of Medicine’s research enterprise.
Dr. Mills is also widely recognized for his commitment to mentorship and trainee development. He has received multiple mentoring awards, including recognition from the American Gastroenterological Association. Fellows and graduate students who have trained with Dr. Mills have gone on to lead independent research programs as faculty at institutions including Washington University, Yale, Harvard and Emory. He is a member of both the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians.
“Dr. Mills brings a rare combination of scientific depth, innovative thinking and collaborative leadership,” said Karen Kim, MD, MS, dean of the College of Medicine. “His vision and expertise will amplify our research capacity, catalyze new discoveries in molecular and precision medicine, and enhance our mission to push the boundaries of inquiry and transform health through scientific excellence.”
Dr. Kim also extended her sincere appreciation to George-Lucian Moldovan, PhD, who has served as interim chair of the Department of Molecular and Precision Medicine. During this period of transition, Dr. Moldovan provided steady and thoughtful leadership, supported faculty and trainees, and ensured continued progress across the department’s research and educational missions.
“We are deeply grateful to Dr. Moldovan for his dedication and leadership,” Dr. Kim said. “Please join me in thanking him for his service and welcoming Dr. Mills to Penn State College of Medicine.”
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