Dr. Simon N. Powell

Dr. Simon N. Powell, MD, PhD, is an internationally recognized physician-scientist specializing in breast cancer and DNA repair biology. He serves as Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and holds the Enid A. Haupt Chair in Radiation Oncology. Dr. Powell earned his medical degree and PhD from the University of London and completed his clinical oncology training at The Royal Marsden Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital in London. He later trained in radiation oncology and molecular biology at Harvard Medical School and Washington University in St. Louis. He is board-certified in Radiation Oncology and is widely regarded for his leadership in translational cancer research and radiotherapy innovation.

A pioneer in the study of homologous recombination and DNA damage repair mechanisms, Dr. Powell has led groundbreaking research into the role of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in breast cancer. His work has been instrumental in developing targeted therapeutic strategies that exploit DNA repair deficiencies, including synthetic lethality approaches beyond PARP inhibition. He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Nature, Cancer Research, and Clinical Cancer Research, and his laboratory continues to drive novel therapeutics that target DNA repair vulnerabilities in cancer cells.

In addition to his research and clinical leadership, Dr. Powell is a dedicated mentor and educator. He is actively involved in training radiation oncology residents, fellows, and graduate students through programs at Memorial Sloan Kettering and Weill Cornell Medical College. He serves on editorial boards of leading journals and holds leadership roles in professional organizations such as ASTRO and the Radiation Research Society. He has been honored with awards including the ASTRO Gold Medal and election as a Fellow of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (FASTRO). Through his commitment to translational science, education, and innovative cancer care, Dr. Simon N. Powell continues to shape the future of precision radiation oncology.