Dr. Duane A. Mitchell

Dr. Duane A. Mitchell, MD, PhD, is an internationally recognized physician-scientist specializing in cancer immunotherapy, with a focus on brain tumors. He serves as Professor of Neurosurgery and Co-Director of the Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy at the University of Florida, where he is also the Associate Dean for Translational Research. Dr. Mitchell earned his medical degree and doctorate from Duke University School of Medicine and completed residency training in neurosurgery at Duke. He is board-certified in Neurological Surgery and is renowned for developing novel immunotherapeutic approaches for malignant gliomas.

Dr. Mitchell’s research bridges laboratory science with clinical application, developing personalized cancer vaccines, adoptive T-cell therapies, and immune checkpoint strategies for patients with brain tumors. He has led multiple early-phase clinical trials demonstrating the feasibility and safety of immunotherapy in glioblastoma, and his work has identified biomarkers that predict response to treatment. His translational efforts aim to overcome the immunosuppressive environment of the brain tumor microenvironment, enabling more effective anti-tumor immune responses.

In addition to his research leadership, Dr. Mitchell is a passionate educator and advocate for diversity in biomedical research. He mentors students and postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented backgrounds and promotes community engagement in cancer research. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and he continues to lead efforts to bring innovative immunotherapies to patients with devastating brain tumors.