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. […]
Here's the Complete Bracket for the 2026 ACC Baseball Tournament
The 2026 ACC Baseball Tournament will take place this week at Truist Field in Charlotte. UNC is the defending champion in the tournament and will compete as the No. 2 seed in the field, having earned a double bye into Friday’s quarterfinals. The 2026 season is the second consecutive year the ACC will be using […]
UNC's Caden Glauber Named ACC Freshman of the Year; Several Other Teammates Honored
UNC relief pitcher Caden Glauber was named first team All-ACC and the league’s Freshman of the Year Monday. The conference doled out several other honors to the Diamond Heels, as three of Glauber’s teammates also received first team recognition. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 🏆@GlauberCaden is your ACC Freshman of the Year! pic.twitter.com/FMbkEo6jOb — Carolina […]
UNC Men's Lacrosse's Season Ends vs. Syracuse in NCAA Quarterfinals
Despite leading 6-2 in the second quarter, UNC fell to No. 6 overall seed Syracuse 13-11 in the NCAA quarterfinals Saturday in Hempstead, N.Y. The Tar Heels’ season is over. Carolina, the No. 3 overall seed in the field, had taken its early lead thanks to three goals in rapid succession from Brady Wambach, Anthony […]
UNC Baseball Drops Regular Season Finale at NC State; Will Be No. 2 Seed in ACC Tournament
The Diamond Heels fell behind early and could not complete a three-game sweep of NC State in Raleigh Saturday, losing 7-2 in the regular season finale. The Wolfpack struck for two runs in the first inning against Carolina starter Folger Boaz, and it was the start of a long afternoon for UNC pitching. NC State […]
UNC Women's Tennis Falls to No. 4 Texas A&M in NCAA Quarterfinals
The UNC women’s tennis season came to an end Friday night in Georgia, as the No. 5 overall seed Tar Heels fell to No. 4 Texas A&M 4-3 in the NCAA quarterfinals. Carolina took an early lead in what proved to be a back-and-forth match, winning the doubles point thanks to victories on No. 2 […]
UNC Baseball Drills NC State in Run Rule Victory to Clinch Series Win
The Diamond Heels scored five runs in the second inning, four in the fourth and seven in the fifth on their way to a 17-7 win at NC State Friday in Raleigh. The win, which came in seven innings via the run rule, clinched a ninth consecutive series win for UNC. 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐈𝐓 𝐔𝐏 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐊 […]
Play-by-Play Class in UNC's Journalism School Wraps Up Debut Semester
Matt Krause is the longtime voice of UNC women's basketball on 97.9 The Hill. This past spring, he shared his knowledge by teaching a class.
›