Getting to know Chief Scientific Officer Albert Koong, M.D., Ph.D.

As UT MD Anderson’s chief scientific officer (CS), Albert Koong, M.D., Ph.D., provides the vision for and executive oversight of our research enterprise, including discovery science, clinical and translational research. He champions innovation, develops strong partnerships and provides focused leadership for the entire research enterprise. After serving in an ad interim capacity, Koong was officially appointed as the CSO in June 2026.  

We spoke with him about his career, his passions and the future of cancer research at UT MD Anderson. Here’s what he had to say.  

Your background is in radiation oncology. How did you get started? 

After my first year in college, my roommates and I decided to find summer jobs so we could stay on campus for the summer. I cold-called 10 faculty members and asked if they had any work. The head of the Radiobiology division ended up hiring me, sight unseen, as the dishwasher in his lab.   

Soon after starting, I met the other members of the lab, including the postdocs. Their work seemed much more interesting than mine. I quickly realized that washing lab glassware was a mind-numbing task and sought out other opportunities within the lab. By the end of the summer, I was assigned my own small research project. That summer research project turned into an honors thesis. I applied to medical school and then pursued a PhD. Ultimately, this experience kicked off my career as a physician-scientist.  

What brought you to UT MD Anderson? 

I spent my entire professional career – more than 30 years, counting my undergraduate days – at Stanford University before being recruited in 2017 to UT MD Anderson as the chair and eventually the division head of Radiation Oncology.  

I never thought I would leave California, but if you’re offered an opportunity at UT MD Anderson, the No. 1 cancer center in the world, it’s difficult to say no.  

So, my wife and I moved to Houston with our two younger children. They were just starting high school. Our oldest stayed in California for college. We didn’t know anyone in Houston. It was a bit of a leap of faith. But I felt embraced from day one. Hurricane Harvey hit shortly after we moved, and watching the community come together, I realized what a unique organization this is. When people are asked to step up, they really do.  

UT MD Anderson is everything I thought it would be and more. The faculty and staff are world-class and recognized leaders in their fields. They’re completely focused on the mission. Many have a personal connection to cancer, and the commitment to our patients is clearly evident. 

One of the events that I look forward to the most every year is UT MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer®. This 1.2-mile walk is more than just a fundraiser. It is really a celebration of advancements that we’ve made in cancer care. It’s the only event that brings together our patients, our faculty, our staff and members of the community in solidarity to recognize progress. It’s a really powerful event that reflects so much of what I love about UT MD Anderson. I’m looking forward to walking with the CSO Boots for Breakthroughs Team on Nov. 14! 

Tell us about your research.  

Since joining UT MD Anderson, most of my work has been in leadership and administration, but my work in the clinic and the lab always remains an important part of what I do. My lab investigates cell signaling within the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, we’re focused on disrupting the adaptive changes within the tumor microenvironment that allow tumor cells to survive and proliferate. Our goal is to develop therapeutic strategies that selectively modulate survival and overcome resistance to cancer therapies. We generally utilize pancreatic cancer models, as this also aligns with my clinic. 

What brings you joy outside of work?  

No. 1 is family. My wife, Jenny, and I have raised three kids who are now young adults just beginning their own careers. It has been extremely rewarding to see them pursue their passions. 

Aside from that, personally, I love all sports. When I was younger, I played tennis, basketball and volleyball. Now, I mostly play tennis and resist the urge to take up pickleball. I also love cycling, particularly mountain biking.  

I love watching sports. I try to understand what goes through the athlete’s mind. I see many parallels between the skills necessary for athletic and scientific achievement. Both require expertise that takes years to develop and hone. Both require tremendous resilience to overcome the expected failures. Both require commitment in the face of uncertainty. Both require teamwork, collaboration, discipline and perseverance.