Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,
I am delighted to announce that Erica Golemis, PhD, is joining the Lewis Katz School of Medicine faculty as the Senior Associate Dean of Research, effective July 1. Her commitment to advancing translational research and forging strong partnerships across disciplines, alongside her passion for mentoring the next generation of scientists, will be foundational to advancing our research mission, ensuring that Katz remains on the vanguard of scientific discovery.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr.Golemis has been a trailblazer in cancer research, advocating for multidisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex challenges in oncology. At Katz, she has been the Department of Cancer and Cellular Biology Chair since 2021. Her leadership has continuously set an exceptional standard here at Temple and within the broader research community. At Fox Chase Cancer Center, she holds the William Wikoff Smith Chair in Cancer Research and serves as Associate Director for Systemwide Integration, focused on identifying or creating synergies between Fox Chase and the Temple system.
Dr. Golemis' approach to cancer research emphasizes integrating diverse fields such as cell biology, genetic approaches, and bioinformatic analysis. Her efforts have not only expanded our understanding of cancer biology but also facilitated breakthroughs in therapeutic approaches. She has been instrumental in bridging research efforts between Katz and Fox Chase, promoting synergies that enhance patient outcomes and advance medical knowledge.
Dr. Golemis is a native of the Bronx, and first came to Philadelphia as an undergraduate at Bryn Mawr College, where she majored in Biology and English. Subsequently, she earned her PhD at MIT studying retroviral induction of cancer, and then performed postdoctoral studies at Harvard Medical School, where she worked on developing a system for study of protein-protein interactions, known as a yeast two-hybrid system. She first established an independent laboratory at Fox Chase Cancer Center in 1993. Her groundbreaking work on protein-protein interactions and the role of Aurora-A kinase in cancer signaling has garnered international acclaim and significantly influenced the field of oncology. To date, she has authored over 240 manuscripts on these and other topics. She currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Cancer & Metastasis Reviews, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
As Senior Associate Dean of Research, Dr. Golemis will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of research at Katz, overseeing strategic initiatives, supporting development of translational and clinical research, and promoting a culture of innovation and excellence. She firmly believes in the importance of interdisciplinary research in fueling creativity, and looks forward to working closely with colleagues at the school and across Temple Health to strengthen institutional capacity for high-impact research. In particular, her extensive knowledge of both Katz and Fox Chase will help foster an even deeper collaboration for coordinated research growth.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Golemis on her appointment. Her leadership will undoubtedly propel our research endeavors to new heights and reinforce our commitment to advancing health through groundbreaking discoveries.
Amy J. Goldberg, MD, FACS The Marjorie Joy Katz Dean Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Claire Raab, MD President & CEO Temple Faculty Physicians
