Dr. Yuman Fong

Dr. Yuman Fong, MD, is an internationally acclaimed surgical oncologist and biomedical innovator specializing in hepatopancreatobiliary cancers, including tumors of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts, and gallbladder. He serves as Chair of the Department of Surgery at City of Hope and holds the Sangiacomo Family Chair in Surgical Oncology. Dr. Fong earned his undergraduate degree in English literature from Brown University and received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. He completed his surgical residency at the University of California, Los Angeles, and later served as Chief of the Hepatobiliary Section at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center before joining City of Hope. He is board-certified in General Surgery and is widely regarded for his leadership in surgical innovation and translational cancer research.

A pioneer in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, Dr. Fong has developed and advanced techniques that have transformed the surgical management of complex abdominal cancers. His research has also focused on oncolytic viruses, gene therapy, and the development of novel biomedical technologies for cancer treatment. He has authored over 1,000 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and serves as the founding Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Therapy – Oncolytics. Dr. Fong is internationally recognized for bridging surgery with bioengineering and has led numerous collaborative efforts to bring cutting-edge science into the operating room.

In addition to his clinical and research contributions, Dr. Fong is a committed educator and leader in global surgical oncology. At City of Hope, he directs both the Center for Surgical Innovation and the Center for International Medicine, and he frequently trains and mentors surgical fellows and junior investigators. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in recognition of his contributions to surgical oncology, technology development, and global health. Through his commitment to innovation, academic leadership, and excellence in patient care, Dr. Yuman Fong continues to shape the future of hepatopancreatobiliary surgery and cancer therapeutics.