Vinod Balachandran

Vinod Balachandran, MD, is a surgeon-scientist and the founding director of The Olayan Center for Cancer Vaccines at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Balachandran leads research in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on pancreatic cancer, a highly lethal and treatment-resistant malignancy. His work centers on developing precision mRNA neoantigen vaccines that harness the immune system to target cancer-specific mutations, advancing options for patients with aggressive cancers.

Balachandran's team was the first to demonstrate that personalized RNA vaccines can induce robust and durable immune responses in pancreatic cancer patients, delaying disease recurrence. Clinical trials led by Balachandran have shown that vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells can persist long-term and remain functionally active, representing a significant advance in cancer vaccine science. His research has generated global interest in mRNA vaccine technology for oncology and has influenced efforts to apply these principles to other high-need cancers. As a laboratory head in the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and an attending hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon, Balachandran works at the intersection of surgery, immunology, and translational medicine.

Balachandran has been recognized by The Washington Post's Next 50 list of changemakers and featured in TIME100 Health for his contributions to cancer care. He is a frequent speaker at scientific conferences and public forums, sharing insights on cancer vaccines and precision medicine. Through his research and public engagement, Balachandran advances the field of cancer immunology and translational oncology.