Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D.

Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D., is Provost and Executive Vice President of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is responsible for MD Anderson’s research strategy, programs, resources and space; educational programs at all levels; and all activities related to the appointment, resourcing and mentoring of faculty, as well as MD Anderson’s growing Global Academic Programs. He currently chairs the Institutional Global Oncology Executive Team.

DuBois joined MD Anderson in 2007. During his tenure, the institution has continued building on its reputation of excellence in research and education.

Advancing Research 
DuBois provides executive leadership for MD Anderson’s research program, which is considered one of the most productive undertakings in the world aimed solely at cancer. MD Anderson ranks first in the amount of grant funds given by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The institution holds 12 NCI Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grants, more than any other medical institution in the country. In the last year, the institution invested more than $547 million in research, an increase of about 34% in the past five years. MD Anderson has the largest cancer clinical investigation program in the world. In just one year, nearly 10,000 patients participated in clinical trials exploring novel therapies and diagnostic tests.  In addition, MD Anderson is a world leader in prevention.

In the last few years, our research community has been infused with several outstanding scientists that DuBois has recruited to serve in faculty leadership roles. He is also spearheading MD Anderson’s expansion of department-based research into theme-oriented institutes and centers where faculty from different disciplines collaborate to solve critical problems. One such institute focuses on personalized cancer therapy, a new approach using the latest advances in genetic testing to develop safer, more effective treatments for patients on a case-by-case basis.

Championing Education 
When DuBois joined MD Anderson, he was given the title of Provost to emphasize the important role education plays here and has pioneered efforts to ensure that cancer research continues unabated for future generations of interested scientists. In the last year, more than 6,900 trainees took part in MD Anderson educational programs.

MD Anderson is a degree-granting institution. We operate a School of Health Professions, which offers bachelor’s degrees in eight allied health disciplines. We jointly operate, with UT Health, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, which offers advanced degrees. Since arriving, DuBois has actively participated in initiatives to further enhance the Graduate School, which had many of its programs ranked highly in 2010 by the National Research Council. In 2010, both schools were reaccredited for 10 years by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

DuBois Background 
DuBois was raised in the small Texas town of Runge. He was able to attend Texas A&M University to obtain his undergraduate degree, thanks to a scholarship from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which he earned by showing the prize-winning steer he raised. During his freshman year, he became captivated by science and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 1977.

He earned his doctorate in biochemistry from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas in 1981, and his medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1985. He served his residency and completed a fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore.

In 1991, he joined the faculty at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennesse. Within only six years he was promoted from Assistant Professor to Professor. His clinical expertise and leadership lead to his appointment as Director of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition for six years.

As a result of his demonstrated leadership and his scientific breakthroughs, DuBois was named Director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center from 2005 until 2007, when he joined MD Anderson as its first Provost.

Research Expertise
An internationally recognized scientist, DuBois’ research is focused on determining the role of certain inflammatory mediators in the progression of colorectal cancer. One of his research goals is to develop better strategies for prevention, early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer.

DuBois’ first showed COX-2 inhibits apoptosis and tumor growth, stimulates tumor-associated angiogenesis and increases cell invasion. This led to trials proving NSAID drugs reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 50%. Currently, his lab is working to delineate the roles of EGFR and Wnt/Apc/β-catenin signaling pathways, which hold promise as targets for cancer prevention.

DuBois’ research has been continuously funded since 1991. During that time, his work has received more than $67.5 million in funding support. Currently his research is funded by $3.75 million from the National Institutes of Health.

DuBois is widely published with more than 128 peer-reviewed publications, 24 book chapters and 54 review articles. He is deputy editor of the newest journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Cancer Prevention Research, associate editor for Cancer Research and an editorial board member for Clinical Cancer Research. In addition, he has served on the editorial boards for the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Carcinogenesis, Neoplasia, and the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Honors and Memberships
DuBois participates in many professional societies, and has held leadership positions in many of them, including president of the AACR (2008-2009), president of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (2001-2002) and president of the Gastroenterology Research Group of the American Gastroenterological Association (2000-2002). He has also served as chair of the board of directors for the Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology. In addition, he has served on the scientific advisory board for the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance.

DuBois has been widely recognized for his contributions to cancer research. Among his honors are the Anthony Dipple Carcinogenesis Award (2006), the AACR Dorothy P. Landon-Prize for Translational Cancer Research (2004), the AGA Distinguished Achievement Award (2004), the AACR Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation Award (2002) and the Outstanding Investigator Award of the American Federation of Medical Research (1996). He is a Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2004), and he has been inducted into the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars (2007) and into the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom (2000).