Jeffrey Miller, MD, appointed director of the Masonic Cancer Center

The Masonic Cancer Center (MCC), University of Minnesota is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Miller, MD, has been officially appointed as MCC director! Dr. Miller previously served as MCC’s interim director and will continue the work he has led over the past year to advance MCC’s mission of reducing the burden of cancer through research, collaboration, and community partnership.

A longtime member of the Masonic Cancer Center and University of Minnesota faculty, Dr. Miller joined the Department of Medicine in 1991 and has held numerous leadership roles within MCC, including Deputy Director and Co-Leader of the Immunology Program. He also holds the Roger L. and Lynn C. Headrick Chair in Cancer Therapeutics at the U of M Medical School.

Dr. Miller is an internationally recognized physician-scientist whose research focuses on blood cancers, blood and marrow transplantation, and cancer immunotherapy. His work explores how stem cells develop into natural killer (NK) cells and how these cells can be engineered, using approaches such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and immune engagers, to more precisely target cancer. His research continues to expand beyond leukemia to include solid tumors, helping translate discoveries into new treatment strategies.

We are also pleased to share that David Largaespada, PhD, has transitioned from his role as interim deputy director to deputy director. Dr. Largaespada is a nationally recognized cancer researcher and leader whose work and service have played a key role in advancing MCC’s research programs and collaborative culture.

Together, Drs. Miller and Largaespada will continue to guide the Masonic Cancer Center as we strengthen multidisciplinary research, accelerate innovation, and partner with communities across Minnesota and beyond to improve cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship.