Anirban Maitra – Candidate for the Nominating Committee of AACR

The voting for the 2025 AACR Annual Election is now open, where members will vote for the next President-Elect, Treasurer, five Board Members, and four members of the Nominating Committee.

This year, Anirban Maitra, MBBS is a candidate for the Nominating Committee of AACR.

Anirban Maitra, MD, is a Professor of Pathology and Translational Molecular Pathology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he also serves as the Scientific Director of the Sheikh Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and holds the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Distinguished University Chair.

Additionally, he is an attending physician in the gastrointestinal mucosal biopsy service pathology at MD Anderson.

Previously, Dr. Maitra was the Deputy Division Head of Academic Science Pathology/Lab Medicine at MD Anderson (2013-2019).

He also held various academic roles at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, including Assistant Professor (2003-2005), Associate Professor (2006-2010), and Professor (2010-2013), alongside his clinical work in gastrointestinal pathology from 2002 to 2013.

Dr. Anirban Maitra’s research focuses on the genetics and early detection of cancer, with a particular emphasis on pancreatic cancer.

His work explores the biology of pancreatic cancer, including the study of microscopic and cystic precursor lesions, as well as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and cystic neoplasms of the pancreas.

A key aspect of his research is the development of strategies for the early detection of pancreatic cancer in high-risk populations, such as individuals with pancreatic cystic neoplasms and adults with new-onset diabetes.

His research aims to identify molecular markers and biomarkers that could improve early diagnosis and lead to better clinical outcomes for these patients.

Dr. Anirban Maitra has made significant contributions to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) through various leadership roles and service activities.

He is currently a member of the Pathology in Cancer Research Working Group (2024-present) and the Asian/AANHPI Task Force (2023-present).

Dr. Maitra has co-chaired several important conferences, including the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer in 2023 and the JCA-AACR Special Joint Conference on Pancreatic Cancer Research in 2022. He has also served on multiple committees, including the Annual Meeting Clinical Trials Committee (2016-2018, 2023-2025) and the AACR-Women in Cancer Research Charlotte Friend Lectureship Award Committee (2022-2024).

As a senior editor for Cancer Research (2017-present) and a member of its editorial board (2014-2017), he has been deeply involved in advancing cancer research publications.

Dr. Maitra’s leadership extends to his time as chair of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-AACR Research Acceleration Network Scientific Review Committee (2013-2015) and his recognition with the Team Science Award in 2013. His broad and ongoing engagement with AACR underscores his commitment to advancing cancer research, particularly in the area of pancreatic cancer.

Education

Dr. Anirban Maitra earned his MBBS degree from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India, in 1996.

He then completed his residency in anatomic pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, between 1996 and 1998, with additional training in molecular pathology (1998-1999) and pediatric pathology (1999-2000).

Following these fellowships, Dr. Maitra further specialized with a fellowship in gastrointestinal pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, from 2001 to 2002.

Awards and Honors

– Recipient, R. Lee Clark Prize for Excellence in Translational Cancer Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center (2022)
– Recipient, Ruth Leff Siegel National Awardee for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Columbia Pancreas Center (2021)
– Recipient, Outstanding Scientist in Cancer Research Award, American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2017)
– Recipient, American Society for Investigative Pathology Outstanding Investigator Award (2016)
– Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) (2011-present)
– Councilor, American Pancreatic Association (2010-present)

Interviews with Anirban Maitra

Podcast Episode 284 – Researching Genetics and Early Detection with Dr. Anirban Maitra of MD Anderson – Project Purple (22nd May, 2024)

Dr. Anirban Maitra, MBBS Discusses Early Detection for Pancreatic Cancer – Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (10th November, 2022)

To vote for your chosen candidate, click here.