Dr. Robert Benezra is an internationally recognized cancer biologist whose research has made
foundational contributions to our understanding of transcriptional regulation, chromosomal
instability, and tumor progression. He joined Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 1990
and has been a longstanding member of the Sloan Kettering Institute and the Cancer Biology and
Genetics Program.
Dr. Benezra is best known for his discovery and characterization of the ID family of
transcriptional regulators, revealing their critical role in development, stem cell biology,
angiogenesis, and cancer. His work established how aberrant activation of ID proteins promotes
tumor growth and metastasis, laying the groundwork for novel therapeutic strategies, including
the development of small-molecule ID antagonists.
He also co-discovered hsMAD2, the first human mitotic checkpoint gene, providing key insights
into how defects in chromosomal segregation drive genomic instability, cancer recurrence, and
resistance to therapy. These discoveries have had lasting impact on the field of cancer biology
and influenced both basic and translational research worldwide.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. Benezra served as Deputy Director of Core
Technologies at MSK beginning in 2017, playing a central role in the oversight and advancement
of the institution’s shared research resources. Throughout his career, he has been deeply
committed to mentorship and education, training generations of scientists who have gone on to
leadership roles in academia, industry, and medicine.
As an Emeritus Member, Dr. Benezra’s legacy reflects decades of scientific innovation,
institutional leadership, and dedication to advancing cancer research.