Timothy Donahue

Timothy Donahue, MD, is a professor in the Department of Surgery and the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He serves as Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology, Vice Chair of Surgical Cancer Care, and the Surgical Director of the Center for Pancreatic Diseases. In his role as Medical Director of Cancer Services at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Donahue works with senior leadership to coordinate and expand inpatient and outpatient clinical programs and services that are involved in the care of cancer patients. He also collaborates closely with Cancer Center and Health System leadership to build upon UCLA’s strong clinical reputation for the care and treatment of oncology patients. 

Donahue earned his MD degree from Northwestern University in 2002. Board certified in surgery, he joined the UCLA faculty in 2009, and completed his residency in surgery at UCLA Medical School (2003–2009). Donahue enjoys a joint academic appointment in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology and serves as the Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology and Vice Chair for Cancer Care within the Department of Surgery. As the holder of the Garry Shandling Chair in Pancreatic Surgery and Director of the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases, he leads one of the nation's premier multi-disciplinary programs in pancreatic diseases, including cancer. He also serves as the Program Director of the General Surgery Residency Program at UCLA, where he nurtures the next generation of surgeon-scientists.

Donahue's influence extends into the realm of scientific research as the Principal Investigator of a National Institutes of Health-funded laboratory. His efforts concentrate on pioneering improved treatment strategies and early diagnostic markers for pancreatic cancer. This lab-to-bedside approach has enabled him to initiate investigator-initiated clinical trials, drawing from his collaborative scientific pursuits. Optimistic about the future, he envisions transformative advancements in pancreatic cancer therapy during his career.

Nationally, Donahue holds prominent leadership positions, including the presidency of the Society of University Surgeons and the Chair of the Surgical Research Committee of the American College of Surgeons. His frequent service at the NIH underscores his advocacy for surgeon-scientists as essential contributors to transdisciplinary research in addressing human diseases.