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MacPherson
David MacPherson, PhD

David MacPherson, PhD

  • Professor, Human Biology Division, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
  • Member, Translational Data Science Integrated Research Center (TDS IRC), Fred Hutch
  • Vinh Bui and Tram Le Endowed Chair for Lung Cancer, Fred Hutch
206.667.6464
206.667.2917

Background

Dr. David MacPherson studies how mutations in certain genes cause cancer. He aims to translate fundamental discoveries about cancer biology into more effective, targeted treatments for patients. Dr. MacPherson focuses particularly on small-cell lung cancer, a highly aggressive type of lung tumor. His specialty is developing preclinical models of this disease. Such models help researchers understand how different genes contribute to the disease and begin developing new ways to target them. He also works to link specific mutations to exceptional responses to certain cancer treatments. These insights could help better match individual patients and their unique tumors to the most effective treatments.

Education

PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2005

BSc hons, Biology and Pharmacology, McMaster University, 1998

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Stories

All news
From dream to legacy: Couple accelerates lung cancer research Vinh Bui and Tram Le establish endowed chair supporting Dr. David MacPherson August 21, 2025
Fred Hutch study finds genetic driver of drug resistance in small cell lung cancer Researchers use CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool on tumor cells grown in mice to better model how tumors that initially respond to chemotherapy become resistant May 8, 2025
Targeted new approach and computational tools reveal lung cancer subtypes hiding in patterns in cell-free DNA Innovative strategy a step toward liquid biopsy to detect, monitor aggressive small cell lung cancer April 10, 2024