Anirban Maitra, MD

At Perlmutter Cancer Center we are building on NYU Langone’s exceptional track record in patient outcomes, research, and education to redefine what comprehensive cancer care can be. As director of Perlmutter Cancer Center, I work closely with our multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, genetic counselors, and other specialists to ensure that every patient benefits from comprehensive, personalized treatment plans, and has access to the latest in clinical trials and precision approaches.

For more than 25 years, my career has been devoted to improving the lives of patients with pancreatic cancer. Our team is focused on translating discoveries from the laboratory into new therapies and clinical trials, helping us make progress against even the most challenging diseases. Much of my work has focused on early detection and biomarker development—two essential avenues for transforming outcomes in this disease.

A testament to the power of team science, collaboration has been central to my work throughout my career. I was honored to receive the Team Science Award from the American Association for Cancer Research earlier in my career, an experience that reinforced my belief that meaningful advances in cancer care are driven by integrated, multidisciplinary teams. This philosophy guides how we deliver care and conduct research at Perlmutter Cancer Center.

My path to medicine has deep roots, inspired by my parents—both research professors. From an early age, I envisioned a career that combined being a physician and a scientist, shifting between the bench and the bedside to make a difference in people's lives. Pathology was the perfect fit for me, offering insights into the fundamental mechanisms of diseases, which fuels much of my laboratory research.

Patients and their families often meet us at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Being present as a compassionate human being, not only as a physician–scientist, is essential to how I approach this work. My goal is to ensure that every patient we see receives not just state-of-the-art therapies and access to an expanding portfolio of clinical trials, but also clear communication, empathy, and support throughout their journey.