Oncology Faculty & Staff

Robert J. Amato, D.O.

Director of the Division of Oncology

Robert J. Amato, D.O., is a full Professor and Acting Director of the Division of Oncology at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston and the Chief of the Division of Oncology at Memorial Hermann Cancer Center TMC. He obtained his medical degree from the University of North Texas, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine after graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Texas Christian University. Dr. Amato completed his residency program in Internal Medicine at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine Hospital System before becoming a fellow in Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center where he earned the top award for clinical excellence. He became faculty at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1988 and was there until 2000 when he joined the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine as an Associate Professor. He joined The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology as Professor in September 2008.

Dr. Robert J. Amato is one of the world’s leading experts in the treatment of genitourinary cancer. Early in his career, his research helped make testicular cancer a highly treatable disease. His current research focuses on molecular-targeted therapeutics to halt the progression of metastatic kidney and prostate cancers, the further development of immunotherapies with a primary focus on vaccine and immune therapy, and determining how elements from his current studies may be used in the treatment of bladder and testicular cancer.

Joan M.C. Bull, M.D.

Professor

Joan Bull, M.D., is a full Professor at The University of Texas Medical School. She obtained her medical degree from Stanford University Medical School after graduating with a B.A. in Biology from Stanford University. After Internship at the University of Chicago Hospital, she returned to Stanford University Medical School for her Residency in Internal Medicine. For the next 10 years, Dr. Bull held research positions at the National Cancer Institute, first as Medical Officer, then Special Research Fellow, Senior Staff Fellow, and finally Senior Investigator in the Division of Cancer Treatment. It was at the National Cancer Intstitute that she began her research into hyperthermia. In 1980, Dr. Bull came to Houston as Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology of the Department of Internal Medicine and began her own research program in whole body hyperthermia. She is a member of the attending staff at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.