Speaker Profile
Ph.D., Associate Professor, Fred Hutch
Biography
Dr. Gavin Ha is a computational biologist whose research focuses on computational cancer genomics, with an emphasis on tumor evolution, heterogeneity, and liquid biopsy. He completed his postdoctoral training at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute before establishing his research group in 2018. His laboratory develops and applies computational approaches to understand the genetic and epigenetic basis of tumor evolution and heterogeneity, as well as to study circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). His research seeks to uncover mechanisms of tumor progression and treatment resistance and identify blood-based biomarkers for tumor classification and disease monitoring. His work aims to translate insights and liquid biopsy approaches in precision medicine. His research has been supported by the V Foundation, Prostate Cancer Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense, and National Institutes of Health, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award.
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.
