Member of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Robert C. Gallo, to Lead Microbial Oncology Program at TGH Cancer Institute

Dr. Gallo, who discovered the first human RNA virus linked to cancer and co-discovered HIV, effectively saving millions of lives, will focus his work at Tampa General on identifying novel therapeutic targets for difficult-to-treat cancers related to microorganisms.

Tampa, FL (July 18, 2024) – Tampa General Hospital (TGH) welcomes one of the world’s most celebrated scientists and researchers to lead the newly established Microbial Oncology Program at the TGH Cancer Institute. Dr. Robert C. Gallo, considered one of the best biomedical scientists in American history and the most referenced scientist in the world for a decade (1980-1990), joined Tampa General on July 8 as founder and director of the Microbial Oncology Program at the TGH Cancer Institute and senior scientific advisor to the executive director of the TGH Cancer Institute.

Gallo has the unique distinction of twice winning America’s most prestigious scientific award — the Albert Lasker Award in Medicine — in 1982 and 1986. Gallo was the most referenced scientist in the world in the 1980s and 1990s and ranked third in the world for scientific impact from 1983 to 2002. Among his many seminal contributions to science, Gallo was the first to identify a human retrovirus and the only known human leukemia virus, HTLV-1, shown to cause a human cancer.

“We are honored to welcome one of the most celebrated, most cited and most award-winning scientists to our world-class team at Tampa General,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General. “The addition of Dr. Robert C. Gallo to the TGH Cancer Institute marks a new era for Tampa General and for the state of Florida. Patients will have direct access to his research findings and our providers will benefit from his skills and knowledge.”

Gallo and his colleagues also discovered interleukin-2 (IL-2), the first cytokine used as therapy for some forms of cancers. These pioneering discoveries by Gallo led other scientists in more recent years to successfully produce chimeric antigen receptor T- cells (CAR T-cells), a therapy that is providing cures for patients with some types of blood cancers.

"I am enthusiastic about the leadership at Tampa General and USF, and I am drawn to new, exciting and important endeavors, such as the efforts led by Dr. (Eduardo) Sotomayor and his colleagues at the TGH Cancer Institute and USF,” said Gallo. “My co-workers and I are happy to join this rising institution in cancer research, and we look forward to helping it reach the next phase of its success. The tools are in place. The leaders are dedicated. The talent is present and growing."

In 1984, Gallo determined HIV-1 as the cause of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). He pioneered the development of the HIV blood test for identifying infected individuals and protecting the blood supply.

Given his unprecedented scientific productivity, Gallo received numerous scientific honors and awards, including membership in the National Academy of Sciences and 35 honorary doctorates from the most prestigious academic and scientific institutions in the world. He will be one of few members of the National Academy of Sciences working in an academic institution in the state of Florida and the only one in the Tampa Bay region. 

“It is a true privilege to welcome a scientist, a pioneer and a mentor of the stature of Dr. Gallo to the scientific team at the TGH Cancer Institute as we embark on our journey to apply for the coveted NCI-designation within the decade,” said Sotomayor, vice president and executive director of the TGH Cancer Institute. “With Dr. Gallo on our team, we will advance groundbreaking research to not just treat our patients, but defeat cancer once and for all.”

At the TGH Cancer Institute, Gallo will focus his research on viruses causing cancer and bacterial proteins and products that he and his scientific group have demonstrated to be involved in cancer progression. Many of these cancers are currently untreatable or difficult to treat, and Gallo and his team have already identified novel targets that will lead to groundbreaking treatments and potential cures.

“Dr. Gallo is an outstanding, experienced investigator. I have known Bob and followed his work for many years. His research will solidify a new research initiative we are developing at the TGH Cancer Institute, and his leadership and experience will help develop our basic science and translational research strategy,” said Dr. Jack Pledger, associate director of Basic Sciences at the TGH Cancer Institute.

At the USF Morsani College of Medicine (USF Health), Gallo is the James P. Cullison Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases.  Gallo will also develop and serve as director of the USF Health Virology Center. He will be joined by his team of four researchers.  

“Dr. Gallo’s expertise in virology is unparalleled and will not only elevate the research taking place at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine but, through his groundbreaking research in the connection of viruses and cancer and novel therapeutics for difficult-to-treat cancers related to microorganisms, help the Tampa General Cancer Institute advance treatments and, potentially, find cures,” said Dr. Charles J. Lockwood, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.

Gallo established in 1996 the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Gallo is also a co-founder of the biotechnology company Profectus BioSciences, Inc. and co-founder and scientific director of the Global Virus Network (GVN). The GVN is now headquartered at USF Health.