Dr. Nasser K. Altorki

Dr. Nasser K. Altorki, MD, is a preeminent thoracic surgeon specializing in the surgical management of lung and esophageal cancers. He serves as Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where he also directs the Neuberger Berman Foundation Lung Cancer Center. Dr. Altorki earned his medical degree from Cairo University and completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Chicago, followed by fellowship training in thoracic surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell. Over the course of his career, he has become a leading figure in minimally invasive thoracic surgery and translational lung cancer research.

Dr. Altorki is internationally recognized for pioneering work in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic thoracic procedures, as well as his clinical trials investigating immunotherapy and targeted therapy in early-stage lung cancer. His research focuses on the molecular evolution of lung tumors, neoadjuvant treatments, and the integration of surgery with systemic therapies. He has published extensively in top-tier journals and has served as principal investigator on numerous NIH-funded and industry-sponsored studies. Through his contributions, he continues to redefine standards of care in thoracic oncology and bridge surgical innovation with cancer biology.

In addition to his research and clinical leadership, Dr. Altorki is a dedicated mentor and educator, training the next generation of thoracic surgeons through Weill Cornell’s residency and fellowship programs. He is deeply committed to multidisciplinary cancer care and plays an active role in national and international consortia advancing lung cancer treatment. Known for his surgical precision and thoughtful, individualized care, Dr. Altorki remains at the forefront of thoracic oncology through academic leadership, clinical excellence, and translational discovery.