Dr. Cathy Eng

Dr. Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO, is a nationally recognized authority in gastrointestinal and young adult cancers and holds the David H. Johnson Endowed Chair in Surgical and Medical Oncology at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. She serves as Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology–Oncology and co-leads the GI Cancer Research Program. Additionally, she directs the Young Adult Cancers Program and recently assumed the role of Associate Director for Strategic Relations and Research Partnerships. Dr. Eng earned her MD from Hahnemann Medical College in 1994, completed her internal medicine residency at Rush University Medical Center, and fellowship training in hematology and oncology at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She provides expert care in colorectal, anal, appendiceal, and liver cancers through both in-person and telehealth consultations.

She is widely recognized for her leadership in clinical research focused on innovative drug trials and early-onset colorectal cancer. As institutional principal investigator for multiple SWOG and NCI-sponsored studies, she has advanced treatments involving immunotherapy for HPV-associated cancers and precision therapies for young adult colorectal patients. She contributed to team-based international trials that led to the approval of a new oral therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer, and she employs biomarker-driven strategies to enhance personalized care. Her efforts earned her prestigious awards, including an NCI Research Specialist Award, and positioned her as a vocal advocate for enhancing trial participation and outcomes.

Beyond her research and clinical practice, Dr. Eng is a passionate mentor, advocate, and leader in oncology community engagement. She chairs ASCO’s TAPUR Steering Group and serves in leadership roles with ASCO-GI, ECOG, SWOG, and the NCI GI Steering Committee. She works to address disparities by promoting access, inclusion, and survivor initiatives—particularly for young adults. She regularly represents Vanderbilt-Ingram at national forums, mentors students and fellows, and leads strategic initiatives, including cross-sector collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotech partners. Through her integrated roles in patient care, research, mentorship, and oncology leadership, Dr. Eng is recognized as a top expert in gastrointestinal and early-onset cancer care.