Dr. Ann Marie Egloff
Lead Investigator and Assistant Professor in Academic Cancer Research
Dr. Ann Marie Egloff was born in Owosso, Michigan, and raised in a family that valued education and community engagement. Her mother was a sixth-grade science teacher, and her father worked as a public school educator and administrator. This environment fostered Ann's deep respect for learning and giving back to the community. She excelled in school, graduating from Swartz Creek High School with honors, particularly math and science. Ann also demonstrated her versatility through participation in various extracurricular activities, including varsity basketball, track and field, and diving on the swim team.
In addition to her athletic pursuits, Ann was actively involved in leadership roles, such as serving on the student council, performing in theater productions, and participating in ballet with the Flint Institute of Music. After high school, she attended the University of Michigan, earning a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology.
The Start of a Research Career
Dr. Egloff began her professional journey in biomedical science with hands-on experience as a Research Assistant and later as a Senior Research Assistant at Warner-Lambert Parke-Davis (now Pfizer) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During her tenure, she earned two employee recognition awards and worked on molecular cloning and the expression of therapeutic targets. Her research also evaluated small-molecule inhibitors used by cancer and metabolic disease departments. This laboratory experience solidified her passion for scientific research and set her on the path to further studies.
Driven by this newfound passion, Ann pursued a PhD in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Her doctoral research concentrated on immunology and protein biochemistry, specifically studying immune cell signaling pathways that influence cellular response. She completed her dissertation on this topic, which laid the groundwork for her future work in cancer research.
A Shift Towards Cancer Research
Upon completing her PhD, Ann Marie conducted a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Human Genome Research Institute, where her research focused on functional studies of gene mutations associated with cancer. Her work earned her the prestigious NHGRI award for excellence in research. At the NHGRI, Ann had the unique opportunity to witness the completion of the human genome sequence and participate in large-scale cancer genetic screening efforts. These experiences helped her realize the growing potential of cancer genomics to improve treatments and patient care.
Ann was later accepted into the NIH/NCI-sponsored Cancer Education and Career Development Program at the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology. Ann focused on translational cancer research to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and patient care during her time there. Her work emphasized tailoring cancer treatment to the individual patient's needs, a concept that continues to shape personalized cancer therapies today.
Leading Innovation in Cancer Research
In 2015, Dr. Egloff joined the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology. Her research focused on the genomics of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and investigating cancer therapeutic vulnerabilities. Ann quickly became a leader in this field, pivotal in developing genomic and proteomic methods to guide cancer treatment. This was one of the earliest efforts to develop personalized cancer therapies. Her work gained recognition and led to substantial funding from major organizations like the NIH.
Ann also contributed to developing clinical biospecimen resources and advanced biomarker research, facilitating discoveries in cancer treatment. Her research has been cited extensively by international colleagues and continues to impact the cancer research community.
Boston and Beyond
Dr. Egloff’s journey continued when she moved to Boston University in 2015, where she served as a Research Associate Professor and scientific director of the Department of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. There, she worked on building research infrastructure, fostering mentorship, and promoting collaboration between departments. She also engaged with patient advisory boards and community members to further her translational research on head and neck cancer.
Today, Dr. Egloff continues her cancer research as a lead investigator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She is also an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School. Her research on tumor immunology and precision medicine approaches to cancer immunotherapy remains a primary focus. As a lead investigator on several significant projects, Ann collaborates with surgeons, physicians, and scientists to translate laboratory findings into viable treatment options. Her research aims to understand immune signaling in tumors and investigate why certain cancers resist therapy.
A Passion for Teaching and Mentorship
Dr. Ann Marie Egloff has remained dedicated to education and mentorship throughout her career. She has taught at various institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh, Boston University, and Harvard Medical School. In addition to her teaching, Ann mentors students and postdoctoral researchers, providing guidance and support to help launch successful careers in research and medicine. She also actively reviews manuscripts for leading scientific journals and serves on grant study sections, contributing to the advancement of the field.
Her mentorship and guidance have helped shape the careers of numerous young scientists, fostering a new generation of researchers and clinicians committed to improving patient care.
Recognition and Professional Service
Dr. Egloff’s contributions to cancer research have been widely recognized. She has received several accolades, including the NHGRI Directors Award for Outstanding Service. Ann is also an active member of professional organizations, including the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), where she continues to influence the future of cancer research and treatment.
A Life Rooted in Curiosity and Community
Beyond her professional work, Ann Marie is a committed community member in Somerville, Massachusetts. She is one of the organizers of a community garden and volunteers for various local initiatives. She also serves as a trustee for her homeowners' association. She has supported multiple nonprofit organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, the National Park Foundation, and the Audubon Society.
Ann enjoys biking, gardening, playing the violin, and reading. These activities reflect her lifelong curiosity and creative spirit, which she brings to her personal life and career.
A Career That's Personal
For Dr. Egloff, science is not just about producing results but making a lasting impact. She believes in building solid foundations, asking thoughtful questions, and leaving behind valuable groundwork for the next generation of scientists. Her work in immuno-oncology and head and neck cancers makes a real difference in patient's lives, and she remains committed to advancing cancer research.
Dr. Ann Marie Egloff’s career is a testament to dedication, thoughtfulness, and compassion. Her scientific contributions continue to shape the future of cancer research, with a clear focus on improving patient outcomes through innovative, personalized treatments.
Portfolio: https://drannmarieegloff.com/
Website: https://annmarieegloff.com/
