Laleh Melstrom, MD, MS, a distinguished surgical oncologist and academic leader at City of Hope, has announced that she will begin a new role as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Surgical Oncology. Her appointment reflects a career defined by clinical excellence, scientific rigor, and a deep commitment to advancing the field of cancer surgery. This new chapter places her at the helm of one of the most influential journals in oncologic surgery, shaping future discourse and scholarship in a fast-evolving specialty.
Early Life and Academic Foundations
Dr. Laleh Melstrom’s journey in science began with a strong academic foundation. She earned her BA in Biology from Johns Hopkins University in 1999, where she received multiple early-career awards, including the Provost’s Award for Undergraduate Research and recognition for her academic and athletic achievements.
Her pursuit of medicine led her to Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, where she obtained her MD in 2003. She later completed a master’s degree in Clinical Investigation at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in 2007, an early sign of her dual commitment to clinical work and research innovation.
Medical Training and Professional Development
Her postgraduate training was marked by rigorous surgical education at several leading institutions. Laleh Melstrom completed her internship and residency in General Surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, followed by a research fellowship at the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, where she deepened her expertise in pancreatic cancer biology.
She then pursued a prestigious fellowship in Surgical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 2010 to 2012, solidifying her path toward becoming a nationally recognized surgeon-scientist.
Career at City of Hope
In 2015, Laleh Melstrom joined City of Hope, drawn by its culture of scientific innovation and multidisciplinary cancer care. Over the next decade, she rose to become Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology and Associate Professor of Surgery and Immuno-Oncology, taking on leadership roles across clinical, academic, and research domains.
Her clinical practice spans some of the most complex cancers, including liver, pancreas, biliary tract, neuroendocrine tumors, gallbladder cancer, sarcomas, and metastatic colorectal cancer involving the liver. She is also certified in robotic surgery and is one of the nation’s experts in hepatic artery infusion pump therapy.
Patients consistently describe her as compassionate, thorough, and deeply attentive reflected in her outstanding patient satisfaction scores.
Research Contributions and Scientific Leadership
Laleh Melstrom has built an extensive research portfolio across metastatic colorectal cancer, melanoma, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic oncology, and immuno-oncology. She has authored over 110 peer-reviewed publications, contributing to the understanding of surgical outcomes, cancer immunobiology, molecular characterization of hepatopancreatobiliary tumors, and disparities in cancer care.
Her work has appeared in leading journals such as Annals of Surgery, American Journal of Surgery, Cancers, JCI Insight, and Journal of the American College of Surgeons. She is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences and has served on influential committees, including the Alliance GI Committee, Academic Surgical Congress Program Committee, and multiple Society of Surgical Oncology groups.
Awards, Teaching, and Professional Service
Throughout her career, Laleh Melstrom has been recognized for both scientific excellence and educational leadership. Her awards include the Edelstone-Bendix Basic Science Research Prize, the Chicago Surgical Society Annual Award for Surgical Research, and the Rutgers Outstanding Attending Teaching Award.
Her commitment to mentorship particularly for women surgeons and trainees in surgical oncology has been a consistent pillar of her academic service.
About the Journal of Surgical Oncology
The Journal of Surgical Oncology is one of the leading peer-reviewed publications dedicated to advancing the science and practice of surgical oncology. The journal covers a broad scope of topics, including clinical and translational research, novel surgical techniques, immuno-oncology, cancer genomics, and multidisciplinary management strategies across tumor types.
As Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Laleh Melstrom will guide the journal through an era of rapid change in cancer care where precision medicine, surgical innovation, and immunotherapeutics are reshaping the discipline. Her vision and expertise position her to elevate the journal’s scientific impact, strengthen global engagement, and amplify research that drives better outcomes for patients.
A Surgeon Shaping the Future
Dr. Laleh Melstrom’s appointment marks an important milestone not only in her own distinguished career but also for the field of surgical oncology. Her leadership brings together clinical excellence, scientific insight, and a deep dedication to education qualities that will shape the future direction of the Journal of Surgical Oncology.
Dr. Laleh Melstrom’s professional philosophy reflects her broader impact: “Medicine is far and away the most rewarding profession you can have.”
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Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD