University of Cincinnati Cancer Center names David Gius, MD, PhD, as director
Following a highly competitive national search, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center has appointed David Gius, MD, PhD, as its next director. Gius, an internationally recognized physician-scientist and radiation oncologist, will officially begin his tenure on July 1, 2026.
In addition to his role as director, Gius will hold an academic appointment within the Department of Radiation Oncology at the UC College of Medicine. He joins the University of Cincinnati from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, where he served as associate cancer center director for translational research and assistant dean for research.
Advancing a vision for regional access and superlative care
David Gius, MD, PhD. Photo provided.
Gius’ appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center accelerates its pursuit of National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation. He brings a robust research portfolio to Cincinnati, including the transition of the Gius Lab, two active clinical trials, and two National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grants.
A nationally recognized expert in breast and lung radiation oncology, Gius’ research identifying the sirtuin tumor suppression gene family has fundamentally changed the scientific understanding of the link between aging and cancer.
“I’m truly honored to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center," said Gius. "The Cancer Center is a vital part of the community and plays a critical role at one of the most vulnerable moments in a person’s life, when they receive a cancer diagnosis.”
His vision for the Cancer Center is rooted in a commitment to ensuring that every patient has access to exceptional, compassionate care, so that no one should need to pursue cancer care elsewhere.
“Our ultimate goal should be to provide not just outstanding, but superlative care to each and every person in our region. If anyone in our community has an aggressive cancer, we will provide the clinical trials, experimental drugs, the newest therapies, and most importantly, hope. They should feel comfortable that our Cancer Center provides the best and most up-to-date care for each and every one of them.”
Dr. Gius is a transformational leader whose career reflects excellence in research, clinical innovation and service to patients.
Dean Gregory C. Postel, MD
From first-generation student to national leader
Gius’ path to the Cancer Center is a testament to his determination as a first-generation student. Born and raised in Chicago to Italian immigrants who arrived in the late 1930s, Gius pursued his undergraduate education at the University of Illinois at Chicago while his father served the community as a police officer. His academic foundation continued at the University of Chicago, where he completed his doctorate as well as postdoctoral fellowship training at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Gius earned his medical degree at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
A dedicated educator and recipient of the 2024 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Mentorship Award, Gius has mentored over 70 trainees, many of whom now hold prominent faculty positions nationwide. This commitment to developing the next generation of leaders complements his distinguished service as the associate program director of the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Graduate Scholars Program and his residency directorships at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Washington University.
Nationally, Gius is recognized for his pioneering research exploring the intersection of aging, metabolism and cancer biology. His expertise is sought out at the highest levels of federal research oversight, as he has reviewed for more than 70 NCI and Cancer Center Support Grant study sections.
Over his distinguished career, he has held leadership roles at several of the country’s most prominent institutions, including serving as the chief of the Molecular Radiation Oncology Section at the NCI and director of the Women’s Cancer Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
Institutional leadership and philanthropy
“Dr. Gius is a transformational leader whose career reflects excellence in research, clinical innovation and service to patients,” said Gregory C. Postel, MD, FACR, dean of the College of Medicine, Christian R. Holmes professor and executive vice president for health affairs at UC and chair of the UC Health Board of Directors. “His vision for delivering superlative care, expanding access to clinical trials and strengthening translational discovery aligns seamlessly with our mission to define the future of health and ensure our region has access to world-class cancer care close to home.”
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Syed A. Ahmad, MD, whose foundational work in developing our research enterprise and his recent stewardship as interim director have been instrumental in preparing us for this next phase of our journey toward NCI designation,” Postel said. “We also want to recognize William L. Barrett, MD, whose long-standing commitment to clinical excellence and service helped shape our Cancer Center.”
The momentum of the Cancer Center has been significantly bolstered by community investment. Since the launch of the unified Cancer Center in 2020, the UC Foundation has raised over $55 million in philanthropic support to advance cancer research and clinical care.
“The continued generosity of donors will help propel the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center towards NCI designation,” added Postel. “Philanthropy has helped advance these efforts across the Center, allowing us to recruit world-class talent like Dr. Gius to serve our region.”
As director, Gius will lead the Cancer Center’s research and clinical enterprises, with a focus on deepening collaboration across the academic health system. He will also continue to see patients, focusing on the radiation oncology breast and lung cancer services.
About the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center
Leveraging cutting-edge research, active community engagement, and a dedication to training the next generation of cancer researchers and providers, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center is working to reduce the incidence, disparities, and societal consequences of cancer. The Cancer Center forms a formidable coalition of expertise boasting a membership of over 250 researchers and physician-scientists from the University of Cincinnati, a Top 35 public research university, UC Health, the region’s academic health center, and Cincinnati Children’s, one of the top children’s hospitals in the country and the top ranked children’s hospital for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report. With a robust portfolio of peer-reviewed cancer research grants, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center stands at the forefront of discovering innovative approaches for cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and survival. Learn more at cancer.uc.edu.
Featured photo at top of Gius presenting a lecture. Photo provided.
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