Dr. Robert L. Ferris, a surgical oncologist and expert in cancer immunotherapy, has been named the next executive director of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, effective October 1.

“Bob Ferris is an exceptional cancer physician-scientist, a highly skilled health executive with deep experience leading a NCI comprehensive cancer center, and a person with a genuine passion for service to others,” said Dr. Wesley Burks, dean of the UNC School of Medicine. “This blend of skills, experience and vision makes Bob the ideal person to lead our cancer center.”

Dr. Robert L. Ferris (Image via UNC-Chapel Hill)

Ferris is a UNC alumnus, having earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the school. He then went on to earn his MD and PhD in immunology from Johns Hopkins Medical School. Most recently, Ferris served as the director of the Hillman Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Under Ferris’ leadership, the Hillman Center saw a 29 percent increase in peer-reviewed cancer research funding and a 53 percent increase in National Cancer Institute funding.

Ferris will succeed Dr. Shelley Earp, who is stepping down after his second stint as the Lineberger Center’s director. Earp served as director from 1997 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2024.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Researchers Warn About Effects of Federal Funding Cuts on Cancer Discoveries, Treatments
Threats of federal funding cuts are already felt within research circles at UNC, including the labs of some leading cancer research.
UNC Hosting 'Swim Across America' Event for Cancer Research on October 8
The UNC swimming and diving teams will host “Swim Across America” at Koury Natatorium on the morning of October 8. The event aims to raise $50,000 for the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only such facility in the state. Registration for the event begins at 8:15 a.m., and the event itself starts at 9 […]
UNC Study Looks Into Cigarillo Packaging
A new study out of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center shows that health warnings on cigarillos and little cigar packaging does little to curtail the appeal of bright colors and flavor descriptors. While the FDA banned flavors other than menthol in cigarettes in 2009, cigarillos feature flavors such as sweet, grape, wine and tropical. […]
Oh, the Humanities: Expedition Asheville!
CPH's Joanna Flynn and Beth Gardiner discuss Expedition Asheville: a full weekend of art workshops, films, talks, and more.
UNC Baseball Dominates in 3-Game Road Sweep at Cal
The Diamond Heels played dominant baseball in a three-game road sweep of Cal in Berkeley during the weekend. UNC never trailed in any of the three games. Friday’s opening game saw Carolina ace Jason DeCaro silence the Bear bats in the early innings. Freshman Tyler Howe provided the game’s first offense with an RBI single […]
UNC Women's Basketball Receives No. 4 Seed in NCAA Tournament, Will Host Games in Chapel Hill
Carmichael Arena will host NCAA Tournament action for the second consecutive season. UNC was revealed as a top 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament Saturday, meaning the Tar Heels will host first- and second-round matchups in Chapel Hill. Carolina will face No. 13 seed Western Illinois in the tournament’s first round Friday. The winner of […]
UNC Men's Basketball Receives No. 6 Seed in NCAA Tournament, Will Face No. 11 VCU in Greenville
The Tar Heels are dancing. Carolina received a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament’s South Region Sunday evening. The Tar Heels will play No. 11 seed VCU in the tournament’s first round Thursday in Greenville, S.C. The winner of the UNC vs. VCU game will play the winner of No. 3 seed Illinois and […]
UNC Men's Lacrosse Beats No. 9 Penn State in Crown Lacrosse Classic
UNC used clutch goals from Dominic Pietramala, Brevin Wilson and Owen Duffy to secure a 10-8 win against No. 9 Penn State at The Crown Lacrosse Classic in Charlotte Saturday night. 🗣️ HEELS WIN#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/0bUNOCDofZ — UNC Men's Lacrosse (@UNCMensLacrosse) March 15, 2026 Though the three fourth-quarter goals from Pietramala, Duffy and Wilson […]
Here's the Complete Bracket for the 2026 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament begins Tuesday at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. UNC is the No. 4 seed in the field and is seeking its first tournament title since 2016. Here’s the complete tournament bracket, which will be updated throughout the week: For ACC Tournament ticket information, click here. Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription […]
'This is a Horrendous Feeling': UNC Men's Basketball Faces Harsh Reality After ACC Tournament Exit
A locker room inside Charlotte’s Spectrum Center might seem like an odd place to see a fork in the road, but that’s exactly what the Tar Heels found when they trudged back inside following their 80-79 defeat to Clemson in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals Thursday night. Because now, Carolina can’t afford to play flat-footed basketball […]
›