Speaker Profile
Ph.D., Professor, Fred Hutch
Biography
Dr. Gavin Ha is a computational biologist who studies the role of genomic alterations in cancer. He and his research team focus on developing and applying computational methods to profile cancer genomes from patient tumors and blood. His laboratory develops novel approaches to study cell-free DNA released from tumor cells into the blood (also known as circulating tumor DNA). The use of this approach, called “liquid biopsies,” combined with insights from tumor genome analysis, will be critical to uncover causes of treatment resistance, discover novel genetic biomarkers from the blood, and develop non-invasive applications for cancer precision medicine.
We are actively engaging in collaborations with members of Fred Hutch and UW Medicine to study various types of tumors, including prostate, breast, lung or other cancers.
Session Abstract – PMWC 2027 Silicon Valley
Track Chair:
Emre Baser, AstraZeneca
PMWC Award Ceremony
• Max Diehn, Stanford (Pioneer)
• Sarah-Jane Dawson, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre / University of Melbourne (Luminary)
Featured Speakers
• Max Diehn, Stanford
• Sarah-Jane Dawson, University of Melbourne
• Phil Febbo, Veracyte
• Ash Alizadeh, Stanford
• Adrian Lee, University of Pittsburgh
• Emre Baser, AstraZeneca
• Keith Flaherty, Mass General
• Thomas Powles, Barts Cancer Institute
Early-Stage Cancer: Can MRD Decide Who Needs More Treatment?
When ctDNA should change escalation, de-escalation, and surveillance.
Advanced Cancer Monitoring
Detecting response, resistance, and relapse early enough to switch therapy.
From Blood to Drug
Liquid biopsy for therapy selection and matching patients to the right intervention.
Integrating Tissue, Liquid & Imaging Biomarkers
How multimodal monitoring should work in real oncology care.
MRD as a Surrogate Endpoint
The promise and hazards of using MRD to accelerate drug approval.
PMWC Hall of Impact
Previous Speakers Include
Nobel laureates, technology founders, regulators, CEOs and scientific pioneers who have taken the PMWC stage.
