Sani H. Kizilbash, M.D., M.P.H.

Sani H. Kizilbash, M.D., M.P.H., is a Professor of Oncology at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) with expertise in the development of brain-penetrant novel therapeutics, translational neuro-oncology, and early-phase clinical trials for primary central nervous system (CNS) malignancies and CNS metastases. His research program integrates preclinical models, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies, biomarker development, and correlative science to support rational therapeutic development and clinical translation. Dr. Kizilbash has substantial experience within NCI-supported clinical research networks and cooperative groups. Leadership experience within the NCI Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN) includes service as Lead PI of the national NCI-10218 phase Ib study of telaglenastat with radiation and temozolomide in IDH-mutant glioma. He has also served as medical oncology co-chair for two Alliance clinical trials (A071102: temozolomide/veliparib in glioblastoma; A072301: temozolomide/vorasidenib in IDH mutant astrocytoma). Furthermore, he has led the clinical development of the brain-penetrant EGFR inhibitor WSD0922, including an R01 funded first-in-human phase I study in EGFR mutant glioblastoma and non-small cell lung cancer with CNS metastases, and a subsequent investigator-initiated phase II trial in newly diagnosed EGFR-mutant glioblastoma. Additional peer-reviewed federal support as a co-investigator spans multiple NCI, FDA, and NINDS awards.

Dr. Kizilbash also has substantial experience in scientific oversight, protocol development, and clinical research governance. As Enterprise Chair of the Protocol Review and Monitoring System within the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, he provides strategic leadership for the scientific review, prioritization, and performance oversight of the overall cancer clinical trials portfolio at Mayo Clinic. His administrative experience also includes prior practice leadership for the brain tumor group at Mayo Clinic Rochester for six years. Beyond a substantial expansion of the size of the practice over this timeframe, he also led care-delivery innovations including early telehealth/virtual clinic implementation. Finally, he regularly mentors junior faculty on clinical trial development, along with trainees at all levels (fellows, residents, medicalgraduates/students, etc.) on clinical and translational research projects.