Lei Deng, MD

“I want people to feel heard – it’s not just what we doctors say that matters, it’s also what patients want and need. I feel very privileged to be involved in bringing better outcomes to patient care.”

— Dr. Deng

What do you value about your work?

One of my medical school advisors suggested I think about what was challenging and intriguing to me, and knowing lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancer, I wanted to tackle something where I could really make an impact. I started lung cancer research in medical school and continued because I appreciate the field and the patients so much. I feel that I can help make change and improve care through clinical research and in the laboratory.

What brought you to Fred Hutch and lung cancer research?

I came here because of the history of scientific discoveries and the organization’s track record, including immunotherapy and cellular therapy discoveries, which I think can be applied to lung cancer. I see a lot of possible opportunities through working with other scientists. It’s a very supportive atmosphere.

We always try to find the best possible care, either through standard treatment already available today or through clinical trials that may lead to cancer treatment of tomorrow.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Lung cancer, head and neck cancers, thoracic cancers

I am a physician focused on clinical research who sees patients at the South Lake Union Clinic and UW Medical Center – Montlake.

I am interested in clinical and translational thoracic research focusing on novel biomarkers and therapeutics, with a particular interest in optimizing systemic therapy for patients undergoing curative surgery and definitive radiotherapy.