Ari VanderWalde, MD, MPH, MBioeth, is director of clinical research at West Cancer Center in Memphis, TN. An internationally recognized cancer researcher, Dr. VanderWalde holds a dual appointment with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as associate vice chancellor of clinical research and assistant professor of hematology/oncology. His primary research is in melanoma and immunotherapy, more specifically on immunotherapy combinations, mechanisms of resistance, and prediction of toxicities.
He previously served as a United States medical lead and clinical research medical director with Amgen, directing U.S. global development of talimogene laherparepvec, a novel viral-based immunotherapeutic that has since been approved by the FDA and EMA for treatment of melanoma. He continues to participate extensively in drug development as a consultant for George Clinical, a branch of the George Institute.
Dr. VanderWalde received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine after graduating cum laude from Harvard University. He completed his internal medicine training at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a joint fellowship in hematology/oncology at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.