Patricia Thompson appointed as cancer center as associate director of strategy

Patricia Thompson, PhD, has been appointed to serve the University of Arizona Cancer Center as Associate Director of Strategy. Thompson will join the center’s Scientific Leadership Council on May 1 to help shape the center’s vison for the future and catalyze the ongoing efforts of its leadership. Thompson is a Professor of Physiology in the College of Medicine, Tucson Arizona, and member of the center’s Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program.

Thompson brings a robust track record of scientific leadership and collaborative vision. She will work closely with cancer center Director Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, and fellow associate directors to guide the implementation of a strategic roadmap for the cancer center. 

Theodorescu said the position will help put the center on a path toward sustained growth and national prominence.  “It’s clear that there are so many incredible things happening at UACC,” Theodorescu said. “Dr. Thompson is the right person to help us develop many exciting initiatives across Arizona into a powerful synergy as well as help coordinate the development of our Strategic Plan.”

A molecular biologist with expertise in immunology and cancer prevention, Dr. Thompson leads ongoing clinical trials investigating immune-modulating agents for the prevention of breast and prostate cancer. She previously served as program leader for Cancer Prevention and Control at the U of A Cancer Center before taking on leadership roles at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook New York where she was deputy director for research at the cancer center and vice dean for research at the Renaissance School of Medicine. Most recently, she helped develop and led a new Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she partnered with cancer center leadership to successfully advance several major strategic initiatives.

She returned to the U of A Cancer Center in 2024 to lead the Cancer Chemoprevention Clinical Trials Network, succeeding Dr. Sherry Chow, professor emeritus.

“UACC has always been a place where impactful science and collaboration thrive,” said Thompson. “I’m excited to contribute to its continued success and to help shape its strategic path forward.”