Paul Harari, MD

Dr. Harari is the Jack Fowler Professor and Chairman of the Department of Human Oncology, and served for nine years as Associate Director of the UW Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC). He serves as principal investigator for the Wisconsin Head and Neck SPORE, director of the Admin Core and co-leader for Project 2. Dr. Harari’s primary clinical and laboratory research efforts are focused on improving treatment outcome for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Areas of particular research emphasis include the interaction of molecular growth inhibitors combined with radiation and the use of conformal radiation treatment techniques to diminish normal tissue toxicity. Dr. Harari has served on the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) HNC Committee for 20 years and as PI or Co-PI for a series of national and international HNC trials. His laboratory research program centers on HNC biology and he has served as PI for NIH R29 and R01 laboratory research grants investigating HNC response and resistance mechanisms to radiation and molecular targeting agents, with particular focus on EGFR pathway inhibitors. In Project 2 of the HN SPORE , Dr. Harari will investigate a unique imaging and anti-cancer agent developed at the UW (CLR1404). Following detailed examination in animal models, a translational research strategy to explore the role of CLR1404 in combination with external beam radiation in locally recurrent HNC patients, will be carried out.

Dr. Harari is a seasoned administrative leader serving as chair of the Department of Human Oncology and associate director of Translational Research for the UWCCC from 2007 until 2016. He served as director of the UW Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program from 1997 until 2007, chairman of the ASTRO Education Committee from 2004 until 2008 and chairman of the first ASTRO/ASCO/AHNS H&N Cancer Symposium in 2007. He currently serves on the ASTRO Board of Directors and is president of ASTRO for 2017. He is devoted to facilitating interactions between basic, translational and clinical cancer researchers  and is deeply committed to the leadership of multidisciplinary research teams.