Kenneth J. Pienta MD

Kenneth J. Pienta is the Donald S. Coffey Professor of Urology and Professor of Oncology and Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Pienta is a two-time American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor Award recipient. He serves as the Director of Research for the Brady Urological Institute.

Dr. Pienta’s laboratory focuses on defining the tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer metastases to develop new therapies for prostate cancer. He has championed the concept that cancer is best understood utilizing the principles of Ecology in which tumors are viewed as ecosystems in which cancer cells act as invasive species interacting with native host cell species in an established microenvironment within the larger host biosphere. He has a peer-reviewed track record in organizing and administering a translational research program that incorporates bench research, agent development, and clinical application. He has been continuously funded by the NIH for over 20 years, is the author of more than 340 peer-reviewed articles, and been the principal investigator on numerous local and national clinical trials.  Dr. Pienta believes that multi-disciplinary teams of scientists and clinicians best accomplish translational research. Throughout his career, Dr. Pienta has served as a model of the “triple-threat” physician – scientist and has effectively mentored more than 40 students, residents, and fellows to successful careers in medicine and science. In 2009, the American Urological Association named him Distinguished Mentor of the Year and he was the recipient of the Prostate Cancer Foundation Core Values Award.