MD
Professor of Cancer Policy and Innovation
UNC-Chapel Hill
Molecular Therapeutics
Area of Interest
Norman E. (Ned) Sharpless, MD, is the Professor of Cancer Policy and Innovation at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. He is interested in cancer therapeutics, novel cancer diagnostics and the intersection of healthcare policy and cancer care.
Dr. Sharpless is the former Director of the National Cancer Institute (2017-2022) and Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2019). Before that appointment, Dr. Sharpless was the Director of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (2014-2017), and a Wellcome Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Genetics at UNC-Chapel Hill (2012-2017).
Dr. Sharpless was a Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill, earning his undergraduate degree in mathematics (with distinction) and his medical degree (with honors and distinction) from the UNC School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital and his clinical and research fellowship in hematology and oncology at Dana-Farber/Partners Cancer Care in Boston.
Awards and Honors
Sharpless is a member of the Association of American Physicians, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the American Association for Cancer Research Academy, and the National Academy of Medicine.
News and Stories
Sharpless appointed to American Cancer Society board
The American Cancer Society named UNC Lineberger’s Norman “Ned” Sharpless, MD, to its board of directors.
Scientific retreat underscores impact and promise of cancer center’s research
UNC Lineberger's annual scientific retreat brought together faculty, staff and trainees to learn about the latest research at the cancer center.
Postdoc-Faculty Research Day features more than 60 presentations, talk by former NCI Director Ned Sharpless
UNC Lineberger’s 47th annual Postdoc-Faculty Research Day provided an opportunity for cancer center trainees to present their scientific findings to an audience of peers and faculty.
Sharpless elected to the National Academy of Medicine
Norman E. “Ned” Sharpless, MD, was recognized for his significant contributions to help advance the understanding of cellular aging, circular RNAs and the cell cycle.