A tribute to pioneering cancer researcher Maura Gillison, MD, PhD

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Maura L. Gillison, MD, PhD, on June 21.

Dr. Gillison was an internationally renowned physician-scientist who fundamentally changed our understanding of virus-associated cancers, directly impacting patient care and public health worldwide. As a Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator in the early 2000s, Dr. Gillison was the first to demonstrate that human papillomavirus (HPV) causes head and neck cancer, overturning the long-held view that these cancers are primarily caused by smoking and alcohol. Her research transformed the way HPV-related cancers are diagnosed, treated, and, perhaps most impactfully, prevented.

In 2017, Dr. Gillison published one of the first studies on the effect of vaccination on oral HPV infection in the U.S. population, which found that young men who had been vaccinated were not infected by the high-risk virus strains that cause cancer. This finding—and Dr. Gillison’s advocacy—led to widespread vaccination against HPV in both boys and girls, drastically reducing HPV-related cancer mortality over the past decade. In this way, her work will continue to save lives for generations to come.

Despite attaining global acclaim as a medical oncologist, Dr. Gillison never forgot the experience of being a young scientist in need of funding, and she continued to champion Damon Runyon’s mission throughout her career.

“Her mentorship and leadership cultivated a generation of physician-scientists,” said Yung S. Lie, PhD, President and CEO of Damon Runyon. “She exemplified how laboratory insights can translate to real-world impact.”

We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and the many patients whose lives Dr. Gillison touched.