William Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.
West 1976
William Nelson graduated from West High in 1976 and from Yale University with a degree in chemistry in 1980. He earned both his M.D. and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1987. He also completed his residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins. He lives in Ruxton, MD.
Bill is the leader of the prostate cancer research team, the Genitourinary Oncology Program and the Anti-Cancer Drug Development Program at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University. He is a full professor in six academic departments, a first in the history of Johns Hopkins. He is board certified in medicine and medical oncology.
He is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the world's leading cancer researchers. Bill discovered the most common acquired gene defect in prostate cancer cells, leading to publications, patents, a new diagnostic test and new hints as to how prostate cancer may be prevented. He was a key member of a team that completed some of the first clinical trials of "gene therapy" for cancer in humans. In this role, Bill takes care of patients with cancer and undertakes cancer research.
Bill has published more than 100 articles, reviews and book chapters related to his cancer research. He serves on the editorial board of four journals and is a peer reviewer for numerous other journals. He holds several patents associated with cancer research and has lectured, by invitation, across the United States and Canada.
Additionally, Bill is a member of the board of directors of the American Association of Cancer Research, the largest organization of cancer researchers in the world. He is also a member of the American Society of Microbiology, the Scientific Advisory Board of the CaP CURE Foundation and was formerly a board member of the National Coalition of Cancer Research. He serves on the advisory boards of a variety of programs and centers at universities and medical schools.